“Shucks! What could he do? We ain’t his hired hands.”
“The boss, though—suppose Jeff told him?”
“He wouldn’t, and how’s he goin’ to find out, anyhow? Nothin’s goin’ to happen to-night, you can bet on that. Come on, be a sport, Tim! We’ve got as much on Jeff as he’s got on us, if it comes down to that, ain’t we?”
“I dunno. I’m kind of leery, when he told us to stick, Larry.”
“I thought you had more nerve, Tim. Didn’t ever think you’d stand for no game like this. But, if you’re afraid—”
“Come on!” said Tim, angrily. “I’ll show you if I’m afraid! I guess it’s safe enough.”
“That’s more like my old pal Tim. I knew you had nerve enough. Let’s be movin’. The sooner we go, the sooner we’ll be back. And we’ll show who’s afraid—eh, old sport?”
“That’s the stuff, Larry! Guess there ain’t no one big enough to tell us what to do.”
And, with linked arms, they moved off. Bessie and Dolly, hardly able to believe in the good luck that left the way to the beach clear, held their breath for a moment. Then Bessie, seeing that Dolly was about to rise, whispered to her.
“Not yet, Dolly,” she said, tensely. “Wait till we’re sure they can’t see us. No use taking chances now.”