Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/109

 “Please quit, Stan,” begged Bub. “I want to go to sleep.”

“Yas, git to sleep,” commanded Abner. “And when ye hear a sound of some one scolding under their breath don’t rouse me up by jumping onto my chest. For it won’t be nothing but a skunk. And if ye hear a pumping sound, don’t grab for a rifle, for it’ll be the ‘stakedriver,’ or bittern. If ye hear a o—hoo it’s a black bear, but he won’t bother us. And I guess that’s about all ye’ll be afraid of to-night. Now, keep shut.”

“I’m going out and down to the water,” said Stanley, quietly.

“Why?” gasped Abner, sitting up.

“Because I’m afraid,” confessed Stanley.

“Him good boy,” remarked Charlie as before he could be prevented, Stanley disappeared in the darkness.

“Blame it all!” growled Abner. “Whoever see such a feller? S’pose one of us must go fetch him back. He’ll either go insane, or git lost.”

“Wait. I git him by’mby,” said Charlie.

In the meantime Stanley cautiously felt his way down to the water’s edge, palpitating in every nerve. He was trying to punish himself for entertaining any sensation of fear; and the