"You said the east Whitefish, and he sent the truck to the west fork. It's a point where one might go wrong, and he'll claim that he misunderstood you and you didn't make your instructions clear."
"I believe you're right!" Andrew had a savage glitter in his eyes. "But the brute's cold-blooded cunning is devilish! He meant to starve us to death because I threatened his contract!"
"That's not all. Mappin's dirt mean, but I guess he has a stronger count against you."
"Ah!" said Andrew sharply, as a light dawned on him. "I wonder whether you have hit the mark?"
In spite of the peril to which he was exposed he felt a thrill of satisfaction. It looked as if Mappin, whom he suspected of seeking Geraldine's favor, had some ground for believing him a successful rival. Perhaps the girl had inadvertently betrayed a preference for him. Mappin would not be driven into a risky course by impulse; he must have believed his jealousy well-founded. This was comforting; but Andrew had now to consider how he and his comrades were to escape from their difficulties.
"Couldn't we get across to the west fork?" he suggested.
"We'll try," said Carnally. "It's a rough bit of country."
"Very rough," Graham agreed. "A low range with steep rock on this side runs through it. I've no doubt Mappin knew that when he decided to make the cache on the other fork."
"Then suppose we can't get over?"
Carnally looked thoughtful.