As they arose to go in the cabin and eat, a noise down the path attracted their attention, and Rick had a glimpse of a roughly-dressed man approaching. It appeared that he had tried to come up the trail unseen and unheard for as Rick and the others looked he seemed to be ready to dodge behind a tree. But his foot dislodged a bit of rock that rattled down the hill. Uncle Tod called out:
“Come on out in the open, Zeek! We see you!”
CHAPTER XIV
INTO THE CAVERN
Wondering what turn events were going to take, Rick and Chot awaited the outcome of the advent of the stranger who had been addressed by Uncle Tod as “Zeek.”
“Who is he?” whispered Rick to his uncle as the roughly-attired man, seeming rather crestfallen over his sneaking tactics, approached more openly.
“Oh, a no-account chap—Zeek Took his name is. Ought to be Zeek Take, for he’ll walk off with anything that isn’t nailed fast—unless you watch him. Looking for me, Zeek?” he asked as the unprepossessing fellow shambled forward.
“Sorter,” was the grinning answer.
“Well, here I am,” went on Uncle Tod. “What is it?”
“Er—now—did the water come?” asked Zeek, shuffling his feet like a bashful schoolboy speaking a Friday afternoon “piece.”
“No, we’re still dry, Zeek, except for what water we tote up on Esmerelda’s back. But I guess we have enough to give you a drink.”