Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/375

 was a prisoner; fer he’d have brains enough to know I never git lost and that it must mean trouble. And he’d also figger out that I’d never call on him fer help, and consequently he must argify that I want him and Reddy to steer clear of this neighborhood. Now lem’me figger a bit.”

His idea of figuring was to carelessly brush some pine kindlings and bits of green boughs into a heap with one foot while the men were earnestly laying their plans for re-capturing the two youths. After he had accumulated what he believed to be a sufficient pile he drew near the fire and idly rearranged the brands with a foot. Then in turning away he kicked a burning brand smartly towards his individual pile. None of the four noticed him, and with no show of haste he carefully forced the brand beneath the mass and rejoiced to see how it caught hold.

But his task was not yet finished. The fire must be allowed to burn awhile. Quickly skirting the group he forced his way between Ben and Joe and gesticulating with his head so as to hold the attention of all he commenced a violent harangue, taking care to use no abuse that would incite them to stop him.

Wildly and vaguely he talked on, Big Nick as