Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/383

 Joe’s face blanched as he believed the tragedy had been consummated, and his voice was unsteady as he added, “There’s no drawing back now. Anyway, we ain’t in that.”

Abner’s eyes were two glistening points as he hoarser cried out, “Ye’ll answer fer it just as if ye fired the cursed bullet.” Then bowing his head he sobbed convulsively.

The two paid no heed to his words, for already an awful fear was stealing over them. Each wished he had never encountered the situation and neither dared look at the other at first. Then the desire to escape returned and they gazed at Abner wolfishly. As Joe had said, there was no drawing back for them and their liberty depended upon no witnesses reaching the settlements.

The youths stared at each other in wonder and amazement as their quick ears caught the two reports.

“They must be shooting at shadows,” whispered Bub.

“I don’t understand it,” puzzled Stanley. “But we must make some kind of a move.”

Bub started convulsively. Then warned, “Don’t budge if a wasp gets at you. One just stung me on the hand. We must have picked a place right under their nest.”