I read treachery in
his glance.
Bud rode into camp from the other direction, and he brought a bunch of
horses, two of which I recognized as Dick's. The lumbermen set about
getting breakfast, and Stockton helped me to what little I could eat and
drink. Now that I was caught he did not appear at all mean or harsh. I did
not shrink from him, and had the feeling that he meant well by me.
The horses were saddled and bridled, and Dick and I, still tied, were
bundled astride our mounts. The pack-ponies led the way, with Bill
following; I came next, Greaser rode behind me, and Dick was between Bud
and Stockton. So we traveled, and no time was wasted. I noticed that the
men kept a sharp lookout both to the fore and the rear. We branched off the
main trail and took a steeper one leading up the slope. We rode for hours.
There were moments when I reeled in my saddle, but for the greater while I
stood my pain and weariness well enough. Some time in the afternoon a
shrill whistle ahead attracted my attention. I made out two horsemen
waiting on the trail.
"Huh! about time!" growled Bill. "Hyar's Buell an' Herky-Jerky."
As we approached I saw Buell, and the fellow with the queer name turned out
to be no other than the absent man I had been wondering about. He had been
dispatched to fetch the lumberman.
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