“It could be. I’m sure Ino wanted to get us away from the village while the natives were gone. You noticed how sharply he spoke when I started to take that other trail by the spring.”
“I did!” Willie exclaimed. “He was afraid we’d go that way.”
“That path must lead to something Ino doesn’t want us to see,” Jack went on with conviction. “If we weren’t in such a tough spot—”
“We have to go on,” Ken urged, glancing at Mr. Livingston. “Right now, too.”
Supported by Willie and Ken, the Scout leader dragged himself along. He was shaking again, and his teeth chattered. Finally he halted.
“No use kidding ourselves, boys. I’ll never last. You fellows go on without me.”
“Never!” Jack replied. “We’ll carry you.”
“That wouldn’t work, and you know it, Jack. Even without me, you’ll have a tough time getting back to Cuya.”
“We’ll never leave you,” Ken insisted.
Mr. Livingston lacked the strength to argue. Sagging down by a tree, he sipped water which War gave him.