“Aw, let Gilroy take care of himself!” Jimmie said.
Ned laughed as he threw a long coil of rope over his shoulder and provided himself with a couple of electric flashlights.
“Gilroy,” he said, “would be having three fits at a time if he knew that we are leaving him here alone in the night. If the boy will remain a short time until we get out of sight and hearing, that will help matters materially. You’ll stay will you?” he added.
“Only a few minutes,” answered Norman.
“And if there is to be a raid on the camp tonight,” Ned went on, “perhaps you may be able to warn us in time.”
“I can’t promise that,” the boy said. “I can’t take any chance on offending Mr. Toombs. I know that he’s a dirty trickster, and that he means mischief to you boys, but I’ve said all I dare say.”
The boy entered the cave and engaged in conversation with Gilroy, in accordance with Ned’s instructions, and Ned and Jimmie, who had in the meantime received definite instructions as to the location of the Devil’s Punch Bowl, started up the steep slope of the mountain.
“Suppose the boy is lying?” asked Jimmie anxiously.
CHAPTER XIII
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BOWL
Jack and Frank stood at the edge of the Devil’s Punch Bowl with their hearts beating wildly, listening for the dreaded sound which they knew must come from below. However, no such sound came, and presently they found the courage to cast their eyes down the steep incline.