“How does it feel?”
“Kinder weak, but I guess I can make it.”
But he soon found that his leg was not so strong as he had thought and they were obliged to make frequent stops to rest, and, when it began to get dark, they estimated that they had not made much over ten miles on the return trip.
Just before they decided to camp for the night Bob made a lucky shot at a rabbit.
“I know it’s out of season,” he confessed, “but necessity knows no law. We’ve got to eat.”
Risking a small fire they roasted the little animal and it proved a very welcome addition to their scanty store of food. They were both tired, Bob in particular, and after some discussion, they decided to take a chance without setting a watch. They found a good place where they felt that there was small danger of being found even if anyone should search for them, and rolling up in their blankets, were soon sound asleep.
The night passed without incident and the rising sun found them up and after a hasty breakfast, they were ready to start by five o’clock.
“How’s the leg this morning?”
“Feels pretty good, if it will only continue to do so.”
“Well, don’t you be too hard on it. There’s no absolute necessity of our making camp to-night. I can probably get a mess of trout for supper and we can make out.”