Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/209

 can worm our way quite a distance before daylight.”

“Shall I lead the way?” asked Bub.

“No, sirree! Let yer Uncle Abner take the lead,” replied the veteran, slowly thrusting his head from the opening.

Fortunately the ledge at this point was overhanging and no rays of moonlight had succeeded as yet in penetrating to the mouth of the cave. But a few feet from the ledge was an open space of some fifty feet which must be crossed before the ink-like depths of the woods could be gained. The average man would have been able to see nothing in the gloom, but Abner knew Big Nick’s keen eyes would ferret them out in a twinkling of the eye should they move carelessly across this danger belt.

His instructions were few and emphatic. He was to lead off with Stanley second and Bub drawing up the rear. Each was to move in keeping with Abner’s cautious advance and at the slightest signal from him each was to remain motionless.

The fifty feet seemed to require a century to traverse in Stanley’s estimation. Once when about half way of the distance Abner touched Stanley’s head and came to a top. Stanley immediately repeated the signal to