Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/393

 bit. But there ain’t no need of being careless, just because we feel tickled.”

“I fear we have been too careless already,” warned Stanley. “I am sure I heard someone breaking through the growth behind us.”

“It’s Ben and Joe,” angrily informed Abner. “They move like cart horses. Easy enough to keep out of their reach, but a bullet travels dinged fast. Hump yerselves.”

“He’s straight ahead!” called out a rough voice not far behind.

“I’m closing in on him,” informed at second.

“Be ye?” gritted Abner, increasing his gait. “By jing!” The last was exclaimed as he found himself on the edge of an opening. At either side the woods ended in a dead line. To advance would allow their pursuers an easy mark, unless the clearing could be crossed before the enemy reached it.

“Come on. Run as ye never did,” whispered Abner, pulling his hat well forward and scuttling towards the line of growth in front. The youths could easily have outstripped him, but they purposely accommodated their pace to his. Just as they were within a few rods of the growth Ben broke through the cover behind and excitedly yelled, “Hi, Joe! This way. We’ve got them! Why! There are three!”