Part 26 (2/2)

”I don't understand.”

”He shot six times, didn't he?”

”Let's see--yes, I believe he did.”

”Well, that's all the bullets he had in the gun. He'll have to throw stones if he sees anything else to shoot at.”

A startled expression appeared on Walter Perkins's face.

”You're right, Chunky. But why don't he come back, then?”

”Lost, I guess,” replied Stacy, not appearing to be in the least disturbed by his own announcement.

Walter started up in alarm.

”You don't--you don't think--”

”No, I'm just guessing.”

”If--if Ned should get lost, too, it would be awful.”

Stacy nodded indifferently, Walter meanwhile pacing restlessly back and forth.

The lad's face wore a troubled look. With the Professor and all his companions save Stacy, gone; with no food left in camp, Walter Perkins had reason to feel alarmed.

Chunky, however, whittled on undisturbed.

”Are you hungry, Chunky?” asked Walter, pausing in his walk, later on.

Stacy nodded.

The day had worn along well into the afternoon and neither of the boys had had anything to eat since early morning. Their appet.i.tes were beginning to a.s.sert themselves.

”I'm going to get some mineral water. It surely will help some. Come on, it won't hurt you.”

Stacy turned a pair of resentful eyes on his companion.

”No egg water for me. I'll starve first,” he answered, with more spirit than usual.

While Walter went to the spring to help himself to the sulphur water, Stacy stood off to view his artistic work on the bark of the tree.

”Guess--guess they'll know I've been here, anyway,” he mumbled.

”That's real good stuff,” announced Walter, as he returned. ”I do not feel nearly so hungry as I did before. Better try some.”

Stacy made no reply to the suggestion.

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