“Halloo-o-o!”
They halted short.
“Do-n’t fol-low me. Take the trail to Shadow Swamp. She is there.”
They looked in each other’s faces, uncertain what to do. Suddenly the voice added:
“You can not catch me if you try. Go on to Shadow Swamp.”
When he heard this Sol slowly turned, and without looking back, returned to the trail, followed by the bewildered men.
“It’s no use ter foller him, boys,” he said; “he speaks the truth. Le’s find the trail and go on.”
They did, some grumbling, others alarmed, but all astonished and bewildered, at Sol’s strange conduct. But the sage old veteran knew what he was about.
CHAPTER VIII.
SOMEBODY IS GOING OUT.