Lower dropped the sun.
Presently the shadows would come trooping out of their hiding-places, where they holed during daytimes. Jack realized that, shut in as the valley was by those beetling cliffs, the twilight must be already falling down yonder—yes, he could notice the failing light, and inside of a brief time darkness must wrap everything in its dark folds, save where possibly some fire continued to burn, and dispel the gloom.
“I figure that they do most if not all of their cooking inside of that long log cabin, and eat there to boot,” he explained to his companion, eagerly listening.
“More organization stuff, eh?” grunted Perk; “then like as not they even got some kinder cook, or chef, to handle the pots an’ pans. Flyin’ high, I’d call it, partner—alivin’ off the fat o’ the land mebbe.”
“Why not, when they’ve pulled off some mighty big shake-downs during the last few months, and must have raked in a heap of dough? With the coin you can buy all sorts of good things to eat; and don’t forget how they’ve got a special delivery ship, that is able to tote half a ton or more of freight.”
“Whew! jest to think o’ that,” breathed Perk, making a face as if some extremely painful thought had flashed through his excited brain; “an’ heow we on’y got four slim sandwiches to fill up on—hardly a bite apiece.”
“Tough luck, that’s right, boy,” said Jack, cheerily; “but such old campaigners as we are shouldn’t squeal because we miss a few meals. Easy enough to make up for lost grub when we’re all cleaned up, and sitting pretty. Besides, just as like as not I’m going to ask you to trot back to our ship in the morning, if you’re agreeable.”
“Huh! surely not to stay, while yeou’re up here by yeour lonely—don’t tell me that, Jack, ole pard.”
“Hardly, buddy; I’ll need your help too much to divide our forces in front of the enemy, or when crossing a stream, which is a bad time, they say, to change horses. I meant that you could make up a big bundle of grub, and tote it along; for there’s no telling how much time we’re going to squander, loafing up on this roost, and watching how things go.”
“Gosh! that’s different, partner; of course I’d be glad to slide daown there, take a peek at our boat, load up with some stuff, an’ make it back here ’bout middle o’ the afternoon—if I’m lucky.”