Part 34 (1/2)
To catch the animal was not difficult and close at hand they found the gun Slavin had stolen. Then while Allen carried the firearms and led one horse and rode another, Watson took up the unconscious man in his arms and followed on his own steed to the cave.
They found Noel sitting by the fire nursing his lacerated arm. The wound was an ugly affair but by no means dangerous, and after it was washed and bandaged it felt a great deal better, although the arm was bound to be stiff for several weeks to come and sore in the bargain.
”Got him, I see,” remarked the young man, as he glanced at Slavin.
”What's the trouble, did you have to shoot him?”
”No, he got under a fallen tree,” answered Allen.
The unconscious man was placed in a comfortable position near the fire, which was heaped up with fresh wood, that all might dry themselves, and Watson went to work to restore Slavin.
This was no mean task and it was a good half hour before the man opened his eyes to stare about him.
”I--I--where am I?” he stammered.
”Yer safe,” answered Watson, laconically.
”That tree--Did I go over into the hollow?”
”No.”
”How did I escape?”
”Allen Winthrop saved ye.”
”He did!”
”Yes, Slavin; he's yer best friend, if ye only know it,” went on the old hunter warmly.
”But I--don't--don't understand.”
In a few words Watson explained the situation to which Slavin listened with much interest. Then his eyes rested on Allen.
”I'm much erbliged ter ye,” he said slowly, and his manner showed he meant it.
”You were a fool ter try ter git away,” went on Watson.
”I know thet--now,” muttered the hurt one.
”Don't ye know I would have plugged ye on sight?”
”Would ye?”
”Sartain shur, Slavin.”
”Wall, I won't give ye another chance,” responded Slavin, with a heavy sigh.
”Ye won't git the chance, ye mean,” said the old hunter, significantly.