"It's a pity to leave any o' it behind," he observed. "Some poor folks a-starvin' to deth in the city, an' thar's a meal fer a hundred!"
It was well along in the afternoon when they started, Dick riding behind the old hunter. He felt that he could tell Slim Jim about their mission, and he mentioned how the Baxters were watching them and trying to outwit them.
"I remember thet Baxter, too," said the old hunter. "Wumble kin tell ye how we come nigh to makin' him do a dance on nuthin' onct. I'll take your part agin him every time, hear me!" And his openness showed that he meant what he said.
CHAPTER XXVI
THE BAXTERS TRY TO MAKE TERMS
For the moment after Tom found himself in the presence of the
Baxters he could not speak. Then he turned fiercely upon Bill
Noxton.
"You have fooled me!" he cried hotly.
"That's right," laughed Noxton sarcastically.
"And let me add, ye was fooled putty easy."
"It's Tom Rover!" ejaculated Dan Baxter, as he leaped to his feet, followed by his parent. "Where did you find him, Noxton; over to that fire?"