Only for the intense desire of the guide to please his Lina, doubtless he would ere now have changed his flight, and headed for that pond, where they could be certain of finding security. Thad only hoped Jim would not be tempted to take too many chances, in his endeavor to accomplish the reconciliation.
So the boy began to strain his eyes, looking ahead, hoping that any minute they would sight the lonely home of the late poacher, who had turned fox farmer.
The fire could now be seen more plainly than ever, and Thad noted how the wind seemed to carry all manner of whirling sparks far ahead, to set the dead pine needles ablaze in turn; so that there was an ever marching procession, as fresh patches of woods fell into the grip of the flames.
Something went squealing past them, almost upsetting Thad.
“Good gracious, wasn’t that a pig?” he exclaimed, startled by the sight.
Jim nodded his head, as he replied:
“Cale’s pig. Let’s ’em hev ther run o’ ther woods sumtimes. But he’ll never see that porker agin. It’ll sure be roasted ter a turn, I guess naow.”
“What next, I wonder?” thought Thad, as he heard, rather than saw, several frightened partridges go sweeping past.
All these things served to add a certain element of spice to the situation, although Thad really believed it hardly needed anything to make it seem the most exciting in all his experience.
Well, at any rate, Jim had certainly thought it wise to increase his speed now, so that he was running fairly fast, considering the difficulties that lay in the way of making good time.