Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/81

 revolving silently, and Hatton nodded his head to show that he understood. If it had not been for Stanley he would have fallen upon this and death must have been the result. Bub, quick of eye, pointed to Stanley’s sleeve, where the sharp teeth had slit the cloth like a razor. Actuated by one impulse the group moved for the door, where Stanley delivered his message to McPherson.

As he was about to return to his work Abner stayed his steps, saying, “Why ain’t ye gittin’ ready to start with us? We won’t wait a second for ye; not by a long chalk.”

“Do you mean I can go?” asked Stanley, hardly believing his senses.

“No, he does not,” quickly broke in Hatton. “He feels obliged to you for pushing him off the saw. That’s natural. But anyone would have done the same. Hardly a day goes by but what some man lends a hand to prevent injury to another. That’s all in a day’s work. But you can’t make the wood trip. Go back to your work.”

“If ye could only see it plain to let him come,” pleaded Abner.

“No, sirreel There’s too much at stake to risk a misfire just to please a homeless boy. He obtained work in the kitchen and got into a