"Yes, as far as I know," came the answer. "Landy fell all over himself, and started to roll downhill, but one of the other fellows pulled him up. He was limping to beat the band, but I hope it's nothing serious."
"No danger," chuckled Red. "Landy is too well padded to suffer much from a fall. Now do we just wait here till the others fetch the lady?"
"That's a part of the contract," said Elmer; "so just make yourself as comfy as you can."
"And watch the big rock there, eh, Elmer?"
"Oh, if you want. We would feel pretty cheap if they took a sly sneak, and left us in the lurch."
Elmer settled down as though he thought there was no use borrowing trouble. And seeing their leader take things in such a matter-of-fact way the balance of the scouts followed suit.
Confidence thus begets confidence in others; and this in itself was one of Elmer's reasons for acting as he did.
The minutes passed.
Several times did impatient Red get up on his knees to take a look down the hill.
"Shucks! but they're a long time coming," he mumbled. "Perhaps, after all, the old woman was too sharp for the bunch—perhaps she's tucked 'em away in the cabin—turning the tables on our four chums—perhaps, now——"