George now spoke. “Look here, boys; stop your foolishness and listen to me. Didn’t we leave some valuables in that building? Where are they now?”
“Oh!” gasped the others, in one breath.
“Where are they now?” George roared again.
As no one seemed to know, he continued: “Well, I’m going to look for the wreck of my fowling-piece.” And he set his feet together, and deliberately leaped into the midst of the smouldering ruins.
He alighted on his feet, but they gave way beneath him; he staggered, and then fell heavily, at full length.
The hunters were alarmed. Was he hurt?
“George!—George!” they shrieked. “Oh, George!”
“Well, what’s the matter?” he growled, as he struggled to his feet.
“Oh, George, come out,” Charles pleaded. “You must be hurt.”