Part 22 (2/2)

The next tree was a little farther away, but by clih that extended into the other tree he crept on until he could just touch one of the opposite branches, but could not get a hold

”Looks as if I would have to go back,” he decided, after he had tried and failed to get a hold on the other tree But this, he found, was more easily said than done, for when he attempted to turn around he slipped and only his quick clutch of the swaying branch saved hiot into,” he thought, when he tried to climb back onto the limb froet back, and I don't see how I ao on I hope it will let me down easy”

CHAPTER XVI

WHERE WAS PEPPER?

”Two o'clock,” said Rand, closing his watch with a snap ”An hour behind tireat oak since just after noon, but Pepper had not yet coot lost in the woods,” suggested Jack

”Maybe he got back sooner than he expected by some other road and went home,” said Gerald ”Shall I run over and see?”

”Go ahead,” replied Rand ”We ait for you here”

Darting off, Gerald was gone but a fewon the run to report that Pepper had not been back since ot hurt somehow,” put in dick

”It is no way iht no be a bad idea to walk along the road until we o?” asked Jack

”The upper road,” replied Rand

The boys acted upon the suggested and proceeded along the road, slowly at first, then more rapidly as their comrade did not appear

They had covered hpoint

”Listen!” said Jack suddenly, as they stopped for a moment ”What is that?”

Faint and far in the distance sounded what seele call,” cried dick ”It must be Pepper”

”It le to his lips Rand blew a long, clear call, but it brought no response

”Which way did the sound come from?” asked Gerald

”Fro with his hand

”What would he be doing away off there?” demanded Donald