Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/394

 His amazement at finding three instead of one victim, led him to hesitate a second before firing. In that brief interval Abner sharply warned, “Drop!”

The trio went down as one and Ben’s bullet whistled over Bub’s prostrate body. The second villain by this time gained his comrade’s side and took in the situation at a glance.

“Take yer time,” he advised, cocking his rifle. “They can’t make the woods. But I don’t understand about them younkers. Now, ready!”

But the report that followed his words spouted from the forest ahead of the cruisers and was quickly followed by another. As Abner looked back he could not see either of his pursuers, although groans and the sound of heavy bodies threshing about on the ground were audible.

Then a tall figure stalked out from cover and advanced towards them.

“Noisy Charlie!” fairly screamed Stanley and Bub in unison.

“Howdy,” saluted the Indian. With this greeting he continued on to the other side of the opening, where Ben and Joe were prostrate.

Abner and the youths followed him. The two villains were groaning fearfully, Ben with