"Perhaps you will. And if there is anything we can do to help you——"
"Just one thing you might do," remarked Jerry, finally setting her upright upon a flat rock on the side of the stream nearest the hunting camp, and some distance away from the secret entrance to his hide-out.
"Oh! what is that?" cried Ruth, eagerly.
"Find me a pickax, or a mattock, and put it right here on this rock. Do it at night, so no one will see you. Good bye, Miss!" he exclaimed, and hurried away.
In another minute he had disappeared behind the screen of bushes, and Ruth heard the glad shouts of her friends as they came over the ridge and saw her standing safe and sound beside the stream.
CHAPTER XVII
CHRISTMAS MORNING
"How under the sun did you get here, Ruth?" Helen shouted the moment she saw her chum.
"Did that Jerry Sheming bring you?" demanded Ann.