“How you geet out?” the man finally demanded.
He did not wait for an answer but turned and shouted:
“Here dey am.”
“Follow me,” Bob said quickly at the same time bounding away into the thick woods closely followed by Jack.
He knew that the path was only a short distance away but, for a moment was undecided as to whether it would be best to strike it or to keep to the thick woods. But before he had taken many steps he decided to pursue the latter course judging that they would be better able to elude them in case they took up the chase.
“Keep close behind me, Jack,” he cried turning his head.
“You can’t lose me,” Jack shouted back. “But hit it up lively. That fellow’s coming like a bull moose.”
So thick was the undergrowth that, although their way led down hill, they were unable to make anything like fast time. Once a loud report sounded not far behind and he heard the thud of the bullet as it struck a tree a little to his right.
“Make it snappy,” Jack cried and he redoubled his efforts to make time.
They could hear the sound of pursuit only a short distance behind and it seemed as though the man was gaining on them. But a moment later the sound of a crash followed by a volley of French oaths reached their ears.