"Is everything all right?"
"Yes, I've had my eyes open, you may depend."
"Will there be any risk in leaving the horse here?" asked Kincade.
"None at all—no one will disturb him."
"Then we had better go on, for there's a pretty good load to carry."
"I guess I can find the way best," said Bud, taking the lead. "I've been over the route so often I can follow it with my eyes shut."
Sutton was also familiar with it, and though it cost some trouble and not a little care, they advanced without much difficulty. Bud regretted that he had not brought his bull's eye lantern with him, and beyond question it would have been of service, but Sutton said it might attract attention, and it was better to get along without it if possible.
The distance was considerable, and all of half an hour was taken in making their way through the wood, the darkness being such in many places that they had to hold their hands in front of them to escape collision with limbs and trunks of trees.
"Here we are!"