“This bit of the country may be full of snakes and wild beasts,” said the stout youth. “And I don’t want to face anything like that all alone.”
“I don’t doubt but what there are both snakes and wild beasts here,” returned Oliver. “But I doubt if they molest us if we leave them alone.”
“But suppose a big mountain lion should leap out after us”—
“Oh, pshaw! Even that wouldn’t be any worse than having Colonel Mendix use us for targets.”
“That’s true too!” Gus gave a groan. “It’s a pity he can’t drown himself in that river! It would be a good job done.”
“Such rascals don’t pass out of existence so easily, Gus. But come, we really must hurry along. If we don’t, we’ll miss Mr. Whyland and the sheriff altogether. And I must confess I haven’t the least idea where we are or in what direction our camp lies.”
“Nor I. Well, I’ll do my best.”
The thought that they would be left behind and become lost did more to urge Gus ahead than anything else. They proceeded over the rocks on a fairly brisk trot; and when the slope leading down to the mountain stream was reached Mr. Whyland and the sheriff were but a hundred yards in advance.
The edge of the stream was hidden by an irregular growth of bushes, so it was impossible to see what was beyond until these were parted. The sheriff, finding a shallow spot, made his horse wade out into the open.