They had left the trail fifty feet back thinking it safer to be in the thick woods where they could find concealment behind the trees. They could plainly see the light from the big camp fire through the trees although it did not light up the forest for any distance and, moving foot by foot and feeling their way with the utmost caution, they finally crouched behind a large spruce not more than a dozen feet from the clearing. There were, however, several other trees between them and the camp so that they could only catch a glimpse now and then of the men as they moved about. But they did not dare to risk getting nearer. In a moment after they had gained their position they heard a man speak and now they could plainly hear what he was saying. Both recognized Hains' voice.
"So yer tried ter double cross me."
"Call it that if you like," Royce's voice replied.
"What else can yer call it?"
"Well, the kid licked me and I was helpless."
"Yer ought ter be shot for letting a kid like that get the best of yer. D'yer call yerself a man?"
"I do not, but not because of that."
"Wall, I reckon yer know what we do ter traiters, don't yer?"
"I don't care what you do to me just so you let the girl go," Royce replied shortly.
"But I ain't a goin' ter let her go, not till Stebbins pays a good big ransom fer her."