Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/309

 he was tempted to whisper his secret to Bub, but feared that the latter by his expression would reveal his satisfaction and excite the men’s suspicions. If that were done he believed they would resort to torture but that they would have the truth from one of them. So he closed his lips and kept his news to himself.

Evidently the men had no fear that either youth would call out and warn Abner, should the old man approach the camp. This was doubtless due to their knowledge that Big Nick was searching high and low for the veteran and was expected to find him.

“What will they do with us?” murmured Stanley from the corner of his mouth and so softly that none of their captors heard him.

“Leave us for Big Nick to finish,” shivered Bub, hanging his head to conceal the movements of his lips.

“I’m afraid that we’re in for it,” murmured Stanley.

“I should say we are,” replied Bub. “There is but one chance in a million that Noisy Charlie will come in time. I’d back him against the whole outfit.”

“We can hardly expect him to arrive,”