“I know you have grit, from what Jack has told us. But you also have to keep your head here,” Mack added.
They rode about three miles more. “There is a cave a little further up there, a good and likely place for them. Let’s turn our horses back into the woods here. No noise, now.”
Silently, slowly, they worked their way forward. There was but a touch of the waning day to show them the way.
They stopped often and listened. It was slow progress. Then they heard the faint murmur of voices. Mack drew nearer and tried to make out the voices or what was said, but found it impossible. He came back and motioned to Ted that they were to go back. And just as slowly they worked their way to the starting point.
“Can’t tell who they are, can we?” Red mused. “They may be peaceable, law-abiding citizens. They might be folks with business which isn’t my particular concern. I’d hate to inspect, make trouble, get nowhere and have good and kind friends tell it to you on every occasion. No, I’m going to make sure.”
Ted whispered: “I have an idea, Red. Let me go in there, pretend I’m lost, and that I am looking for my way.”
“Won’t do,” Red interrupted. “Lot’s of reasons why. First, they wouldn’t let you know anything and I could only guess from your description. Second, if trouble came, what do you think folks down there would say to me? Nice, agreeable, pleasant things, eh? Tell you, boy. I’ll go in. You wait where we were. If I don’t call you, it’s a sign things are not friendly—you speed back and get Smiles and the boys. I think you had best tell them to hurry, although I don’t think they will need any urging when they find out it is friend McGowan. They can’t hurry any too fast to suit me, because about the time they are due things will be getting interesting and warm. Know the way back, don’t you?”
“Yes, I know it,” answered Ted.
“So long, Ted,” said Red Mack.
Red crawled back to where the horses were. He rode forward as if he were going to a picnic. Ted heard him breaking through the brushwood, leading his horse. Then he heard him say, “Hello, friends.” He heard the call repeated, but there was no answering hail. Silence still, as Red seemed to have reached the cave, except that he heard men moving about. Ted heard Mack’s voice—smooth, very pleasant, and most polite.