No particular attention was paid to them as they entered the slope, and screening the package as much as possible from view, the boys went with all speed to the repentant regulator's hiding place.
So far as could be seen, the cutting through which Fred had fallen remained as when they ascended, and after letting themselves down this the task was well nigh accomplished.
Skip was most extravagant in his demonstrations of gratitude when they entered the chamber and displayed the supplies.
"It'll take me a mighty long while to straighten this thing up; but I'll do it somehow," he said, and Sam replied, roughly:
"We'll talk about that later. Jest now there's a chance others will find out where you are, for Joe and Bill have gone after men to help search for Billings."
"Then they didn't find him?"
"No."
"I reckon he has gone to Taylor's."
"That won't do him much good unless he walks out of town, for now it is known he's near by, all hands are bound to hunt him down."
"Then they'll be sure to find me."