Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/282

 for us to arrive. They won’t think of cruising around the ridge ’less they see a smoke, or hear a rifle shot. So, it’s short rations and a quick trip. Gitting back is what troubles me.”

“Why?” asked Bub.

“I expected Reddy to put that question,” replied Abner. “I’m afraid that by the time we’ve done our work the Nace gang will have learned we ain’t at Hood, and being suspicious that we’re up here they’ll begin snooping ’round a bit.”

“I feel a sprinkle,” broke in Stanley, who had been holding out his palm to test the weather.

“By jing! that’s so. It’s going to rain,” mumbled Abner. “We’ll have to find an opening and put up a lean-to. Only, ye’ll have to use yer knives in cutting the poles as we can’t risk any noise. “I’d planned on sleeping in our blankets to-night.”

“And what if they find the lean-to?” inquired Stanley, who preferred a drenching to the chance of meeting Big Nick and his friends.

“We’ll take the chance,” returned Abner. “It ain’t likely they’ll do any scouting while it rains and there won’t be any signs to draw ’em over here anyway. I’m too old to sleep in wet blankets ’less I have to. If my rheumatiz