"
Flossie and Freddie both ran back and took hold of their mother's hands.
"Don't scare the children, Bert," said Mr. Bobbsey, a bit sternly. "Did
you really hear something?"
"Yes, father. It's some animal walking behind us. Listen and you can
hear it your self."
They all listened. It was very quiet. Then from down the hard dirt
path they all heard the "pitpat, pitpat" of the footsteps of some
animal. It was coming on slowly.
For a moment Mr. Bobbsey thought of the wild animals of the circus. In
spite of what the men had said perhaps one of the beasts might have
escaped from its cage. The others in the little party evidently thought
the same thing. Mrs. Bobbsey drew her children more closely about her.
"'Deed an' if it's one ob dem elephants," said Dinah, "an' if he comes
fo' me I'll jab mah hat pin in his long nose - dat's what I will!"
"It can't be an elephant," said Mr. Bobbsey. "One of the big beasts
would make more noise than that. It may be one of the monkeys - I
don't see how they could catch them all - they were so lively and full
of mischief."
"Oh, if it's a monkey, may we keep it?" begged Flossie. "I just love a
monkey."
"Mercy, child! What would we do with it around the house?" cried Mrs.
Bobbsey. "Richard, can you see what it is?"
Mr. Bobbsey peered down the road.
"I can see something," he said. "It's coming nearer."
"Oh dear!" cried Nan, trembling with fear.
Just then a bark sounded - a friendly bark.
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