At the appointed time, he roused Simmons and handed over the rifle.
“Don’t hesitate to shoot if there is anything suspicious, and that will wake me to come to your aid. However, I don’t think there is much chance of anyone coming at this time of the night.”
Garry was asleep almost as soon as he had touched the boughs, and knew nothing until he felt a hand shaking him. He looked up and saw that it was just getting light.
“Now for a quick breakfast,” he cried, leaping to his feet, “and then back to civilization and safety.”
The breakfast over, they hurriedly left the place.
“We won’t have to bid any tearful farewell to this place, will we Garry?” said Ruth.
All felt fresh and they made fine time in returning over the course they had come. Since there was no need for stopping and searching for trail, they covered the distance in much less time than it had taken Garry the previous day.
The worst of the going was the track from the cabin in the ravine to the brook, but from there the walking was comparatively easy. They had started about six o’clock and by half-past nine reached the point where Garry had discovered the campfire the day before.
“That reminds me,” said Garry to Ruth, “I haven’t given you back your locket yet. You should keep that as a prize, for it was the first clue that eventually led me to where you were imprisoned.”
“I shall keep it all my life,” declared the girl.