Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/373

 on the river and had brought back some supplies. None had suggested going to the boys’ camp, nor did any of them appear willing to discuss the youths. Food was offered to Abner but he paid no heed. If his companions had been done away with he had no desire to live. And his head fell on his breast and his eyes remained half closed.

In the middle of the afternoon he heard a shout and looked up and beheld Big Nick. His hair bristled as he believed he was gazing on a double murderer. And he scarcely could believe his ears when Nick hissed, “Boys git away. No catch um.”

“What!” screamed Abner staggering to his feet, for only his arms were tied. “What! the younkers escape? Hooray! Glory! Kill me, do anything to me, ye pack of thieves and murderers—but my boys has escaped! Whoop!”

“Silence!” growled Pete, advancing on him with a knife, while Ben asked:

“And ye mean ye couldn’t run them down?”

“No catch um,” muttered Big Nick. “Little weasel sly like old fox here.” And he glared at Abner.

The three men eyed each other in consternation. If the boys remained at liberty it would