A little jerked venison would not come
amiss, he thought, and as the ammunition was plentiful he darted
through the woods in pursuit. The fact that Bob was a poor hunter
probably saved Alan's life. He was gone an hour and a half and when
he returned it was after seven o'clock.
The two boys had just extinguished their fire and were about to
shoulder their packs when a well-known but strained call arrested
them.
"Camp ahoy?"
It was their leader, Ned Napier, his cheeks sunken, and his body
swaying from weakness, but cheery as of old, advancing slowly
through the trees.
Food and a night's rest restored Ned's strength. "And now, my
friends," said he in the morning, "these bandages and a little food
and good companionship have worked wonders. We are all ourselves
again. But we can't stay here, pleasant--as it is. Alan ought not
to travel for another day and then he ought to have some husky
attendant. Bob, you are nominated for that job. Elmer and I will
take a few pinches of tea, the soup tablets, one revolver and a
rifle and--"
"And what?" exclaimed Alan, suspicious of Ned's suggestion.
Pages:
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262