Page:Cornelia Meigs-The Pirate of Jasper Peak.djvu/69

 give her what she demanded. What the coveted article was, Hugh could not see, for the Indian  husband, Kaniska, was standing in the way.

Then all three went out quickly through the gate, as silent and as swift as ghosts. For the first time, Hugh noticed that Jake, who walked  behind, moved with a slight unevenness in his  giant stride.

It had grown so late that Hugh in spite of his curiosity and excitement was sleepy at last. He lay down again, going over and over once more  the puzzles of the day. What ought he to do? What had these strange people to do with him? Why did Jethro say that he was the only one to go on that impossible errand, why did the fellow  not go himself? If there were really a chance of his helping the Edmonds boys, Hugh would have  risked anything gladly, but this plan was such  absolute madness! No, thought Hugh, he had made up his mind, he would not change it again,  he would go to-morrow.

He arose at five, packed his belongings and, on hearing Linda stirring in the kitchen, went down