They knew that the howl was a bad sign; but neither spoke.
Once more the dog ran off, and as before turned and wheeled about upon the prairie.
"O God!" exclaimed Basil, in agony, "he is coming on the old track!" It was too true; for the next moment the hound, running on the back-track, bounded in among the feet of their horses.

Here he stopped suddenly, throwing up his head, and uttering another howl of disappointment.
Basil waved him back.

He struck out again and followed the old trail, but with like success.

He then became confused, and ran every way over the ground, evidently baffled.

The brothers regarded each other with looks of dismay.