Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/384

 “One stung me,” gritted Stanley. “We can’t remain here and be stung to death without making a noise. Let’s crawl back.”

“Wait,” murmured Bub. “I see the nest. Keep quiet and we won’t be troubled. See that gray bunch in the tree about the size of a hat. That’s it.”

He was pointing to the tree in the middle of the opening, under which Ben and Joe were standing. Even as he indicated the dark grey bunch the men sank to the ground again.

Stanley thrilled in every nerve and his voice was hard to control as he suggested, “If only we could get those fellows after the scoundrels we might have a chance to slip in and free Abner.”

“Great!” chattered Bub. “But how to do it?”

“Find a small rock and smash the nest,” hoarsely advised Stanley.

Without a word Bub silently worked his way backwards and was gone nearly a minute before he returned, holding several fragments of stone in his hands. “Retreat a few feet,” he murmured, “and we’ll have a chance to stand up for the throw.”

In a few seconds Stanley had rejoined him in