All were more than willing to make the attempt to escape, even though they realized that the men watching them were desperate characters and would not hesitate to use their firearms if they thought it necessary.
The four boys approached the entrance of the cave with caution, dropping flat on their stomachs as they did so. Then, led by Jack, one after another wormed his way along until the bushes screening the opening were reached.
“Now be careful,” warned Jack. “Don’t shake the bushes too much or those men will get suspicious. It may pay to go slow. And don’t make any noise.”
As silently as Indians on a hunt the four boys began to worm their way through the bushes at the side of the cave opening. This was no easy task, for there was always danger of cracking some dry twig or of shaking the tops of the bushes unduly. They could hear the men talking earnestly and even heard Jackson knock out his pipe against a tree.
“As soon as I get my hands on the dough I’m going to light out for Mexico,” they heard Jackson tell Tate. “That’s the safest place to hide.”
“Maybe it is,” they heard Tate answer. “But I don’t like to live among those Greasers. I’ll try my luck up in the Northwest. I don’t think anybody will try to follow me to where I’m going.”
“Do you think the Rovers will come across, Tate?”
“Sure, they will! They’ll pay up to the last dollar! Davenport will make ’em do it!”
“But suppose they balk?”