Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/165

 “I know,” mumbled Stanley, moving away. “Don’t fear that I’ll start another blaze.”

“Don’t bear down too hard on him, Bub,” cautioned Abner. “He didn’t mean nothing and he took his medicine like a man. After all, who’s afraid of Big Nick?”

“I love Stanley,” replied Bub simply, “but it’s time he got some sense. He needs to be jolted a bit to cure him of doing the wrong thing at the right time.”

“I know,” mused Abner, “but he had a strange look on his face I didn’t like. Better coddle him up a bit.”

“I’ll call him back and shake hands over again,” cried the warm hearted youth, rising and looking after Stanley. “Why! Abner, I don’t see him. He can’t be lost. Hi! Stanley! Come here! We want you,” he loudly called.

A lone crow mocked him from a distance, but there was no other response. Again he called, but Stanley gave no answer.

By this time Abner was on his feet, keenly gazing down the slope. “After him!” he suddenly shouted. “He’s making towards Big Nick’s camp. He’s trying to square himself by finding Nick and saying he’s lost and a denying that we’re in the woods. Run! run!