“Come over Saturday night—you might as well—and go to Sunday school with the children; they’d like to have you.”
“Poor little youngster,” he said, as Benny turned away with a happier face than he had worn when he came. “I like the little chap. I started out pretty young myself, and I know what it is.”
Benny turned to go back with a light step. It was late in the afternoon, and already growing shadowy in the deep pine grove through which he had to pass. He was not afraid, however, for he had sense enough to know that there were neither bears nor wildcats thereabouts, and he did not even consider whether he would encounter a snake. He caught sight of a gray squirrel scampering up a tree, and saw a clumsy land turtle traveling slowly along.
“I never saw one of those queer chaps before,” said Benny to himself. “Isn’t it funny how they carry their houses on their backs? It’s mighty convenient, I suppose, but I think I should find it rather tiresome. Oh, there’s a rabbit. My! but there’s a lot of things to see in the woods. Ever so many people live here, for all they keep out of sight most of the time.” And Benny chuckled to himself at the thought.
He kept on steadily till he was about in the middle of the woods, when presently there came from the thicket close by a sound between a growl and a moan, and the boy stood still to listen. The sound was repeated, and this time it sounded nearer. Benny was no coward, but it must be confessed that his heart misgave him, and for a moment he stood uncertain whether to run or whether to investigate the matter.
“I’ll see what it is, I won’t be silly,” he told himself. “Maybe somebody is hurt in there.” And he dauntlessly followed the sound as a cry of distress reached his ears. Then he seized a stick and rushed forward.
CHAPTER IV
A HIDDEN ENEMY
As Benny dashed valiantly into the thicket he was seized by the leg and pulled to the ground, while some one jumped up from the bushes, and he found himself face to face with Ivan, who gave an evil grin, and said, “There young feller, I have you now, I make you pay.”
Benny’s heart stood still; he knew he was not able to cope with this big, powerful fellow, but he struggled to his feet and stood silently regarding his enemy, who still held him fast. Then he looked around helplessly for a way of escape, but only the dark, sombre forest spread around him, and he knew if he should attempt to run, that he would be very speedily overtaken. Then he thought of the errand upon which he had been sent and which he had hoped to execute promptly and well. Mr. Bentley had said he trusted him.