Page:Cornelia Meigs-The Pirate of Jasper Peak.djvu/175

 through the low-growing bushes. Nicholas seemed to cover the distance in two bounds with  a speed that Hugh greatly envied. He was burdened with the two heavy packs and the rifle slung across his shoulders, but, by some instinctive obstinacy, he would not drop them for the  pirates to capture.

For a minute he thought he could escape unseen, but his progress was slower than he thought and he had delayed in the cabin an instant too  long. A shout behind him told that he was discovered. He looked desperately upward as a clattering of feet sounded on the stony trail and  saw three men cross the top of the hill and come  running down the path.