"Gather up all the matches in the crowd. Then I'll strike them one by one," was Paul's immediate response.
This emergency torch lasted for a little while. Finally the last match was gone, and still they were some distance away from the mill pond.
"Listen," said William, suddenly; with a thrill in his voice; "whatever do you suppose that is?"
CHAPTER XXVII
TED FINDS SOMETHING
"Sure it wasn't an owl?" asked Paul, when a full minute had passed away, without their hearing a repetition of the sound that had reached the ears of his comrade.
"Didn't sound like it. I kind of thought it was somebody calling for help!" said Bobolink, quivering with the suspense caused by the situation.
They stood in a group, listening eagerly. The night wind stirred the tops of the tall forest trees softly, and even this gentle sound boomed on their strained nerves like the strokes of a bass drum.
"Oh! there! Didn't you hear it that time?" whispered Bobolink.