Page:Cornelia Meigs-The Pirate of Jasper Peak.djvu/142

 of Hugh’s disappointment, “but you see  if Jake is really back we can’t risk leaving the  cabin alone. The claim is nearly established now and the closer we come to the end, the closer we  come to trouble. There is bound to be one more row before the thing finally goes through.”

"What sort of a row, Oscar?”

Oscar looked down at his scarred hand and smiled reflectively.

“A row like the others we have had,” he said quietly, “only this time a really good one. Good-by.”

He took up his pack and went out without another word. The furious wind seemed to seize him and whirl him away the moment he stepped  outside the door. Hugh had not answered his farewell, for he was disappointed and indignant  at being left behind and he did not mind how  plainly Oscar saw it. After all, it was he himself who had seen the footprints by the marsh; he ought to be the person to go and look for them  again. He went out to feed Hulda, slamming