Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/219

 along with the mechanical gait of an automaton. He gazed neither to the right or left, nor did he hear the matutinal chorus about him. It seemed as if he was walking in a dream, the forms of his two companions being vague and unreal. Nor did he sense any fear.

Abner was quick to observe his condition and nudged Bub slyly. So long as the youth could walk, so long would they lead him along, but the veteran cruiser had seen men walk like this before, after being lost in the woods, and he knew what the result must be.

It came suddenly. Stanley dropped in his tracks and while not unconscious was thoroughly indifferent to the pleadings of his friends.

For nearly an hour the three remained in the covert, waiting for him to emerge from his lethargy. Finally he seemed to sense that he was holding the others back, and, shaking himself, advised, “You two go on ahead. It’s the best thing for all of us. I’m done up and must rest. If you leave me you can make the warden’s in double quick time, procure some ammunition and come back for me. Nick couldn’t find me in a year. “I’ll just remain quiet and rest.”