Part 21 (2/2)
”Why, of course!”
”That would make a failure of our mission, me son!”
”But it would save Jimmie's life.”
It was now growing quite dark in the valley, especially where the tree growth was heavy, but upon the slope objects might still be clearly distinguished some distance away. While the boys watched the child came out of the thicket to the north and began ascending the mountain, walking with a light, springing step, as if out for exercise after a long and tiresome confinement.
”Now keep your eye on the mountain,” Ned requested.
In a moment a column of smoke arose from behind the chimney rock. The boys watched it intently and the child with it, for he was now approaching the rock.
”Cooking supper!” remarked Jack. ”I wish they would pa.s.s it around!”
”Does it take two fires to cook supper up there?” asked Ned, with a smile.
Jack half arose in his excitement, but Ned drew him down again.
”Jimmie's up there!” he whispered. ”There's the Boy Scout call for help!”
CHAPTER XV
A NIGHT ON THE SUMMIT
”Now,” Ned said, as the signal columns died down, ”we'll hike back to camp with our pictures and get supper! How does that strike you?”
Jack turned toward Ned impatiently. There was not light enough for his face to show clearly, but Ned knew how the boy was scowling!
”And go off and leave Jimmie here?” Jack said. ”I'd like to know what you're thinking of! Why have you changed your mind? I'm going to stay here until it gets good and dark and then go up there.”
”You may spoil all my plans if you attempt to reach him to-night,”
Ned replied, in a matter-of-fact tone. ”On the way back I want to stop at the cabin a moment.”
”All right,” Jack grumbled. ”I suppose I'll have to go with you! When are you thinking of rescuing Jimmie? After they send us one of his hands?”
”Don't be sarcastic,” laughed Ned. ”You'll understand it all before long.”
Jack was not at all pleased with the idea of returning to camp, and said so repeatedly as they walked along both keeping in the thicket as far as possible, but Ned seemed to take no offense at his remarks.
”What I can't get through my head,” Jack finally said, changing the topic of conversation, ”is why they let us travel through here without nipping us.”
”I have an idea,” Ned answered, ”that they are pretty busy just now.”
”Well, what was the use of our going at all if we sneak away as soon as we get where we might accomplish something?” demanded the boy, reverting to the old subject.
<script>