Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/316



morning broke warm and clear with the three men not awakening till long after the hour the true woodsman bestirs himself. The youths slept but little during the night and were softly whispering encouragement several hours before their captors showed any inclnation to arouse themselves.

“They were drinking from a bottle last night,” murmured Bub. “They’ll get up feeling ugly. I’ve seen the stuff work at the mill. We don’t allow drinking there, but sometimes the men break over and they’re always out of temper when they sober up.”

As he finished speaking Pete gave a growl and turned over on his side. As this brought the rope tightly about his waist he began to kick vigorously, cursing in a sleepy voice all the while.

At the first sign of danger from the flying eels Stanley and Bub drew up their legs and Joe received several of the blows. Being incensed he kicked back and the situation began 291