"They're awful wise birds, those fellows. They've turned back."
They remained by the creek until they were rested, forded it and went on.
The ground now was hard and dry. They found themselves in a sparse pine forest where walking was easy. By nightfall they were out on an open prairie, and at midnight they came to the trading post at Legrue.
The trader blinked as he responded to their knocks. In response to Payne's request for information as to the nearest telegraph office he stared stupidly.
"Where in the name of alligators you been wadin', boys?"
"Devil's Playground."
The trader winked.
"All right, boys, I ain't askin' no questions. If you say Devil's Playground, all right." He winked again. "I ain't no snooper. Come in."
"How far to the nearest telegraph office?" repeated Payne.
"Why, that's twenty miles, up to Citrus Grove, where the railroad ends.
You can make it easy to-morrow."