Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/87

 informed Abner as the Indian took the lead, walking with long strides.

A guttural sound was the only acknowledgment Charlie made. The others seemed infected by his silence and hardly a word was spoken till the wharf was reached. Then Abner gave sharp commands and the motor boat was headed for Rapid river.

But youth will have its way and before the little craft had chugged a mile on its course Stanley and Bub were evidencing their high spirits by a rapid fire of questions and jokes. Even Abner melted a bit beneath their sallies, while Charlie expanded his nostrils and stared dreamily at the hill covered shores.

“Why do you start so early on a cruise?” asked Stanley, now hungry for information.

“Leaves ain’t out and we can see better,” mumbled Abner.

“I’ve been out on the crust. That’s lots of fun,” cried Bub.

“Crust no good,” muttered Charlie. “Deer hear; no shoot.”

“Eating’s more necessary than good walking,” agreed Abner, smacking his thin lips at the mention of venison.

In a short time Rapid river was reached. Here the boat was abandoned. A three mile