CHAPTER FIVE.
A MIDNIGHT INTRUDER.
They had been asleep several hours, when all three were suddenly awakened by the barking of Fritz.

During night hours the faithful creature stayed habitually within the hut--where he also had his bed of dry grass.

On hearing any unusual noise without, he would rush forth and prowl about for awhile; and, after satisfying himself that there was no enemy in the neighbourhood, would return quietly to his lair.
Fritz was far from being a noisy dog.

He had seen too much service, and gathered too much wisdom, to waste his breath in idle barking; and it was only upon grand and important occasions that he condescended to give tongue.

Then, however, his bark--or bay, it should rather be termed-- was terrific.
On the occasion in question--which happened just about the hour of midnight--the three sleepers were suddenly awakened by his expansive "yowl," that filled the whole valley, and reverberating from the cliffs, appeared continuous.