“Williams! I say, Williams, where are you going?”
The new boy turned quickly, looked back at Jack, and then continued his journey.
“Hey! Come back!” yelled our hero. “You’ll be lost if you go up in those hills. It’s dangerous! Come on back!”
Williams stopped again, and turned half around.
“Guess he didn’t hear me plainly,” thought Jack. “I’ll catch up to him. Wait a minute,” he called again, and he hastened forward, Will waiting for him.
“Where are you going?” asked Jack, when he had caught up to him.
“I don’t know,” was the answer, and Jack was struck by the lad’s despondent tone.
“Don’t you know there’s a dangerous ravine just ahead here?” went on Jack. “You might tumble in and lose your life.”
“I don’t care if I do lose my life,” was the unexpected rejoinder.
“You don’t care?” repeated Jack, much surprised.