Part 36 (1/2)
”Well, I am willing to push on at any time you say.”
”I'll push on as fast as Slavin can travel. I can't do more than that.
If he caves in on our hands we'll have no means of finding out anything more about my uncle's whereabouts.”
”He can't be shamming, can he?”
”Not a bit of it. He was caught under the tree and I wouldn't have been in his position for a thousand dollars.”
”Then don't push him any harder than you dare. To me he looks like a fellow who might be getting a fever.”
”I noticed that. But I hope he doesn't,” concluded Allen.
But the fever was coming and by nightfall all of the others saw that Slavin was in a bad way. He sat up and began to talk wildly.
”Let me go! Take the tree from me!” he cried. ”I haven't got the money!
Oh, how do ye do Mr. Winthrop. Glad to see me, eh? And how is that new mine, an' what kind of a trade are ye goin' to make with Captain Grady, eh? Ha! ha! The cave by the seven pines! A good hiding place, the seven pines! Let me go, the tree is crus.h.i.+ng me!” And then he fell back almost exhausted.
”He won't travel any more, not jes' yet,” said Watson, soberly. ”He's up ag'in a long spell o' sickness.”
”Did you hear what he said about Captain Grady?” asked Allen.
”I did. He must be in this game, too. An' the seven pines.”
”The cave must be at a place called the seven pines,” said Noel.
”If it is I think I know the spot,” answered Ike Watson. ”I ran across 'em seven pines two years ago. They air about two miles from here, on the other side o' the mountain. We'll have ter go around ter git ter 'em.”
An hour later Allen and Watson left Slavin in Noel Urner's care and struck out for the place on the other side of the mountain which the old hunter had mentioned.
CHAPTER XXIX.
The Long Lost Found
Before leaving camp both Allen and Ike Watson saw to it that their weapons were in good condition and ready for immediate use.
”No tellin' what we may run up ag'inst,” said the old hunter.
”Well, I am ready to fight, if it comes to that,” returned Allen, grimly. ”But I would rather take the enemy by surprise.”
”Thet would be the best way, Allen. But fust we must locate thet cave.”
The ride around the mountain was a rather trying one and from a gallop they had to slow down to a walk. In some spots the trail was much cut up and the mud was deep, while in others they had to pick their way over rocks which were as smooth as they were dangerous.
”Look thar,” said Watson, as he paused on a spur of the rocks. ”Thar's a tumble fer ye!”
He pointed to a canyon all of five hundred feet deep and Allen had to draw back after looking into the awful depth.
”If a fellow should tumble here he would never live to tell it,” said the young ranchman. ”This would be a bad trail to follow in the dark.”