CHAPTER XXXII
ALAN SUCCUMBS TO EXHAUSTION
The boys were up at dawn. Not an article had the marauders left but
the two water canteens which had fortunately been left hanging from
the low branches of a pine. It was useless to look for more--there
was nothing more to be found.
"Anyway," laughed Ned, "it leaves us in light marching order and we
can make better time. I'm glad we had a good supper."
As no breakfast was in sight the two boys filled the water bottles
at the creek in the valley, and at five o'clock, taking their
bearings due east, Ned and Alan struck upwards through the pine
woods. It was a not unpleasant climb while the boys were fresh, but
as the slope grew more precipitous the work began to tell. At one
o'clock the crest was reached.
"How would you like a piece of broiled bacon, some pancakes and a
cup of coffee, Ned?" asked Alan as they paused to rest.
"In the middle of the day and on the top of a mountain I always
prefer plain water," laughed Ned in reply. "Here's to you!"
With a big drink from the lukewarm canteens the boys did not pause
long.
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