CHAPTER XIV
THE STEALING OF THE OUTFIT
Si drove Darling and the outfit down to the ford of the river, and there waited for the return of his two partners. Maybe Dixon was with him and the Socket family were close behind.
"When do you expect the boys back?" asked Josiah Socket, as he drove up and allowed his horses to drink before crossing.
"I suppose they will be along before a great while," answered the former farm lad.
"I hope they shoot something wuth shooting," put in Maybe Dixon.
"There ought to be some game in that big woods," came from Mrs. Socket. "But they have got to know how to handle a gun. Now Josiah can't shoot fer shucks. Once he went after some rabbits and——"
"I can shoot," interrupted Josiah. "But I don't care much for the sport. Well, I'm a-goin' on," he continued, and commenced the task of reaching the other side of the stream. Soon he was on the other bank and out of sight behind some tall brushwood.
Si watered the mule and unhooked him and then sat down on a grassy bank to rest. Maybe Dixon filled a pipe and fell to smoking.