As if each had received a shock of electricity, the whole stood still and mute, regarding in silent horror their miserable companion. It is impossible to convey the effect produced upon the communication made thus briefly by Trimbush. Every one seemed not to know what to do or say, until Gameboy, with a white thick foam dropping from his jaw, sprung upon his feet and rushed towards them. A wild bull would not have scattered us more completely. Frenzied with fear, we flew from the maddened wretch, who rushed staggering at everything in his way, and snapping his jaws with that fury which the mad can only show. “Get from him,” said Trimbush, in a thick husky voice, and exhibiting the greatest terror. “Pray get from him. It’s death if he touches ye.” The noise in the kennel now became furious. All were stricken with fright, and the howling and cries were most appalling. It could scarcely have continued more than a minute, however, when the stentorian voices of Will Sykes and Ned Adams were heard, calling for “quiet,” accompanied by the cracks of a heavy thong. “Thanks be to the saints!” exclaimed Trimbush, “assistance is at hand.” Immediately afterwards both entered the court, and the huntsman glancing round, said reproachfully, “What’s all this about, eh?” At this juncture, Mark the feeder made his appearance, and his eye instantly fell upon Gameboy. I never shall forget the old man’s countenance, the moment he saw the hound. A ghastly paleness came over it, and he looked almost stunned with the sight. “Great heaven!” ejaculated he, holding up both his hands. “Great heaven, Will, there’s madness among ’em!” “What!” said the huntsman, his question sounding like a sharp expression of pain. “Madness,” repeated Mark, “as sure as we live.” With staring eyes, the huntsman and second whip examined Gameboy at a short distance and, after a slight pause, the former exclaimed, “’Tis true! Run, Ned, and bring the Squire.” “Get in, get in,” hallooed Mark, and closing the lodging-room door, we were safe from the attacks of the wretched Gameboy, who was now left alone in the court. “Take care,” said Will, retreating towards the door, “he’s in a most rabid state.” “I wonder where it will end,” returned Mark, joining the huntsman’s side by the door. “Who can tell?” rejoined Will, bitterly. “We may lose half of ’em, perhaps.” “I noticed that he looked rather heavy about the eyes, for a day or two,” added the feeder, “but I accounted for it through the heat.” “It was only yesterday,” said Will, “that I gave him a dose of black brimstone and lard, seeing that he was feverish.” “It was a mercy no accident occurred to ye,” responded Mark. “A mere scratch from a tooth would have----” “What’s this?” interrupted a well-known voice, and there stood our master, breathless and exhausted with the speed he had used in attending the summons to the fearful scene.