Page:Cornelia Meigs-The Pirate of Jasper Peak.djvu/171

 "Whatever you promised,” Hugh interrupted  him, “you will not be asking for help from Oscar  Dansk. He is not there.”

“Where is he?”

“Out in the woods—looking for you.”

Dick shook his head slowly.

“That beats me,” he said. “I always thought poor Johnny was wrong about Oscar, I never  really understood about that quarrel myself. And lately John was too sick to know quite what he did think, and he made me promise over and  over, when he knew that we might be somewhere  near where Oscar lived, that I would not go to  him for help. They are both so obstinately proud. But I can see for myself that the only thing now is to do as you say. I should like to know how you ever got here, Hugh, and about a  hundred other things, but we won’t spend time  on explanations just yet. I suppose we can make a stretcher of blankets and carry him between us  somehow.”

Their preparations were quickly made. John Edmonds, still unconscious, was lifted to the rude