The call was repeated and answered before Jack spoke.
“Oh, that’s it, is it, sir?” said Ned quietly. “Pretty creatures. After us again, eh? Well, if we lie still they won’t see us, and—yes—shadow’s rising on the mountain, it will be dark directly. All we’ve got to do is to make out which way they go, and then go the other, so the sooner they show the better for us—I mean before it gets dark. Such a stupid place too; there ain’t no evening, it’s dark directly.”
“There’s more danger, Ned,” whispered Jack.
“Eh? what, ain’t that enough, sir? Well, what is it?”
“Turn your head very gently, so that you can look at the fire.”
“Yes, sir.—Well, it’s out.”
“Don’t you see anything there?”
“Whoo!” ejaculated the man in a tone full of horror, “snakes, hundreds of ’em! Oh, we mustn’t stand that, sir; they’re waiting till it’s cool enough, so as to get our ’taters.”
“Nonsense: after the warmth. Now you see, Ned. What’s to be done?”
The man was silent for a few moments. Then softly—