By daybreak the professor had made up his mind to go after the missing ones. He decided to take Cubara with him, leaving the others to watch the camp.
“If I find the boys I’ll be back before dinner time,” said Professor Strong. “If not, I won’t return until they are found.”
“Well, I’m sure I hope you have quick luck,” said Sam. “We’ll be very anxious until you return.”
Soon the professor and the Indian were out of sight and the boys turned back to put the camp in order. Hockley threw himself on a rock, declining to take a hand in the work.
“You ought to do your share,” said Sam. “It’s not fair to expect us to do everything.”
“You shut up!” cried Hockley. “I’ll do as I please. If you say a word I’ll pitch into you!”
He was in an ill humor and spoiling for a fight, as Darry and Sam could readily see. Yet Sam was not daunted.
“It’s not fair, Hockley. Everybody ought to do his share of the work,” he went on.
“Oh, leave him alone, Beans,” came from Darry. “We can’t stop him from being lazy.”
The words had scarcely been uttered when the angry youth, caught up a billet of wood and flung it at Darry. It struck the lad in the shoulder hurting him not a little. Darry rushed at him, but leaping up with a club in his hands, Hockley stood on guard.