Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/276

 three or four. They slept in their blankets without a shelter. That means they are in a rush. I hope ye ain’t been cleaning the rifles again, Reddy.”

“I see to it that the rifles are loaded all the time,” chuckled Bub.

“Well, there’s one consolation,” declared Stanley, his voice full of confidence. “They did not believe we would come this way, else they would have concealed their fire.”

“That’s good woodsman craft,” cried Abner, his eyes brightening. “They took it for granted we would wait on Hood till Noisy Charlie come along, or they’d never left such a trail. So, we don’t have to fear an ambush, unless we go too fast and overtake ’em. We’ll be sort of quiet and Injun like to-morrer and keep a careful eye out fer all small clearings on the bank.”

That night Stanley did not rest as well as usual. Throughout his dreams the blood-streaked face of Big Nick played an important part and once Bub aroused him with a kick and asked him what he was groaning about.

“I thought the half-breed had me,” shivered Stanley, pressing close to his friend.

“Don’t cry till you’re hurt,” sleepily advised Bub. “We’re loaded now and we don’t run