“I suppose you’re right,” Jack acknowledged. “But it’s simply awful to sit here and do nothing with Kernertok out there perhaps dying.”
“I know,” Bob soothed, “but it’s only perhaps. That shot may have meant nothing and he probably got through all right. Everything was in his favor, and you know Kernertok.”
“Yes, I know; but he’s human at that.”
Slowly the time passed. There was nothing they could do except listen for the faintest sound. So dark was it that the peep holes were of no use. But about half past ten Jack, who was near the broken window, announced that the clouds were breaking.
“It’ll be moonlight in a few minutes. She’s trying to peep through the clouds now.”
“That’ll help Kernertok,” Bob declared.
“Provided he got through,” Jack added mournfully.
“Well, I’m going to believe that he did till I find out that he didn’t,” Bob insisted.
In a short time Jack’s prediction proved true. The moon peeped out from behind the clouds and by eleven o’clock was riding in a clear sky, making it almost as light as the day outside. In a way it was a great relief to them, for they had feared to have a light in the cabin, and waiting so long in the intense darkness was trying to their nerves.
“I reckon we’d better get an eye at those peep holes now,” Bob suggested. “There’s one apiece, that is if Mr. Stebbins feels strong enough to take one.”