“Then down on your hands and knees, and let’s creep like dogs. They will not see us then.”
It is impossible to describe the feeling of excitement which came over me as I followed Esau’s example, and letting him lead, began to crawl pretty quickly across the enclosure. I looked back, and there were the lights in Mr Raydon’s quarters, where my friends were seated, and wondered what they would think when they heard that I had gone, and what construction Mr Raydon would place upon my departure, for something seemed to tell me that we should be found out; and it was not likely that we should be credited with going for so innocent a reason.
“No,” I said to myself; “he will think I have gone to join Gunson to wash for gold, and—”
“Don’t! I say, mind where you are coming.”
For my head had come sharply in contact with my companion.
“What’s the matter? Why did you stop?”
“Only to look back at that place where mother is. My! won’t she be in a taking if they find out we are gone?”
“Go on quickly, then,” I whispered, “and let’s get back before they know it.”
At that moment there was a loud growl toward one of the block-houses.
“Rough’s heard us,” whispered Esau. “Come on.”