Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/227

 we’re loaded we can go where we will and stay as long as we will. But it’s mighty lucky the warden’s ammunition fits our guns. Else we’d had to borrer his and have only one between us.”

“He’s worried about Stanley and will run a lantern up into a tree, so’s if we want to come back we can hit the trail easy,” informed Bub.

“That Reddy is a good boy,” mused Abner. “Most fellers would have took on and gone crazy at the idea of being left alone out there. But he was the first one to suggest it. He may be green, but he’s got lots of grit.”

“I like him,” said Bub simply.

The next few miles were covered in silence, the steady dog-trot being interrupted only as Bub paused to climb a tree. On these aerial excursions he not only made sure of their course but he also keenly examined the country ahead in an effort to locate the half-breed. In this quest he was much aided by Abner’s field glasses.

The last tree he climbed caused Abner to wax impatient. “Going to stay up there all night?” he sharply inquired.

“Wait! wait!” murmured Bub, his voice trembling with excitement. “Great Scott! Here they come!”