Part 31 (1/2)
Fighting a Wolverine
”I think we had better make a fire,” suggested Allen, after the horses had been tied up in a place that was comparatively dry.
”Right ye air, Allen,” returned Watson. ”Pervidin' we can find some firewood.”
”Here is a tree branch,” said Noel, pointing it out in a dark corner of the cavern. ”But we may have some trouble in breaking it up.”
”Ho! ho!” laughed Watson. ”It's easy ter see ye ain't very strong. We'll break thet up in a jiffy; eh, Slavin?”
”What do ye want?” growled the prisoner.
”Want ye ter help break up some firewood.”
”Me?”
”Persackly, Slavin. Reckon as how ye want ter git as warm as anybody.
Wall, ye kin start in by doin' some work.”
Slavin demurred but his protest was unavailing and soon he and Watson were breaking up the large part of the tree branch, Noel looking on in wonder and Allen a.s.sisting on the smaller portions.
”My, but you are strong,” said Noel, in open admiration. ”I'd give a good deal for your muscles.”
”Ye'll get the same, if ye stay out hyer long enough,” answered Watson, ”It's the mountain air as does it.”
”Oh, come, Watson, you know you are extra strong,” put in Allen. ”Why, he can do some wonderful things when he wants to.” To this Watson made no reply, but the grin on his face showed that he appreciated the compliment.
Soon they had a roaring fire, which threw grotesque shadows on the cavern walls. All drew closer to enjoy the warmth, and they prepared a meal to which even Slavin did full justice.
They questioned the prisoner closely and he said he felt certain he was on the right trail. But he was shy about saying more. He was wondering if the coming night would offer any opportunity of escaping.
”I'll get away if I can,” he thought. ”And if so I must lose no time in warning Mangle and Nodley. If I don't they'll be running into a trap, and my share of that stolen money will be lost.”
After the meal Allen and Watson remained near the entrance to the cave, to talk over the situation and speculate upon what the day following would bring forth.
Slavin wanted to join them, but Allen ordered him back.
”You go back to the fire,” he said. ”If you want to go to sleep you may do so.”
”Don't trust me even yet, do ye?” muttered the prisoner.
”I do not.”
”Ye're rather hard on a chap wot is trying ter do ye a good turn.”
”It remains to be seen if it is a good turn or not, Slavin. You may be putting up a job on us.”
”No, I swear it's all right, Winthrop. Ye'll find everything jest as I told ye.”
”Perhaps. But you go back to the fire,” and Slavin went back, but with a look on his face that rivaled the black clouds in the heavens outside.