Part 11 (1/2)

The sun had set behind the mountains in the west, and with the gathering of the dusk their fears increased.

”Something dreadful must have happened to them,” said Will, looking alarmed.

Bluff tried to laugh it off, saying:

”Humbug! What could happen to those two chaps? They're up in all that pertains to the forest, and they've got a gun along, too. It's you and I that may well be called the babes in the woods. We know precious little between us; but you just bet n.o.body can give us points on how to cook rice.”

But Will was too much worried to even show signs of anger or reproach.

”What if they don't come at all? What if both fellows disappear mysteriously as if they were swallowed up in the earth? We'll feel pretty tough telling their parents the sad news. I kind of wish now we hadn't come,” he remarked dolefully.

”Just let up on that tune, will you? Think of the pictures you have already secured, and the others coming. Why, the boys might have been delayed by a dozen things. Make up your mind they're all right and will pop in on us at any minute.”

But despite Bluff's attempt to cheer his mate up, Will kept watching the bushes in the light of the rousing fire they kept going, as if hoping against hope that his prediction of evil might not be fulfilled.

They waited until the supper began to get cold.

”We'll have to eat by ourselves, I reckon, partner. Those other chaps have given us the cold shake for just now. But they'll be along after awhile, never fear,” said Bluff, putting on a bold face, even while his heart was troubled.

Will was seriously alarmed, but he tried not to show it, out of pride.

So there the two poor fellows sat as the time pa.s.sed, trying to a.s.sume a nonchalance that neither of them really felt.

Twice they started up as some sound arose to startle them. Once it was a shrill cry from the neighboring woods, and Bluff laughed to recognize the solemn ”whoo-whoo” of an owl; the other time it was some equally harmless source from which the alarming sound sprung.

The idea of spending the night by themselves was far from pleasant.

Neither of them wanted to sit up, and yet they dared not lie down and try to sleep.

”This isn't so very much fun,” grumbled Bluff, as he held on to the gun and continued to stare about him at the changing shadows that seemed to flutter around the outskirts of the camp.

It had been a question of dispute between them as to whether they should keep up a good fire or allow it to dwindle down. Will was for having a roaring blaze that would serve to warn all evildoers and trespa.s.sers that they were awake and on the watch. On his part Bluff declared it would draw trouble; so they compromised by allowing the fire to die partly down.

”Say, it must be getting awful late,” remarked Will, stifling a yawn.

”Why don't you lie down and get some sleep, then?” expostulated the other; ”I'll stand guard, and nothing is going to happen.”

”Of course not, but you see I know I couldn't sleep a wink thinking about those two poor fellows, and wondering what has happened. Do you suppose they could be drowned, Bluff?” asked Will, in an awe-struck voice.

”Aw, get out with your gloomy ideas. Drowned--those fellows drowned--not on your life. They have some good reason for not showing up. I don't know what it is, but you'll see when they do come. Don't get timid, Will.”

”Timid! Who's showing the white feather, I'd like to know. Why, I'm not afraid of anything that could happen here. You never saw me shake unless it was with the cold. What is there to fear, after all? Just lie down if you feel like it, and---- What's that?”

Will gave vent to a half-m.u.f.fled yell when a sudden vivid flash dispelled the darkness around them, as if lightning had cut the gloom of night.

CHAPTER X--FRANK TRIES TO FIGURE IT OUT

Frank was sorely perplexed. He felt sure that Jerry must have fallen into the hands of some enemies while he was busily engaged in examining the second Indian mound. Perhaps it might be that he had even heard the low cry of his chum when the others seized upon him, but in his ignorance had supposed it to be the call of a bird in the brush.

He tried to read the signs the best he could.