Burnnel snarled like a bear in a trap. Emery perceived that he had gone too far. His next words were placating, almost a whine.
“Now look o’ here, Bob, yuh don’t need to get huffy. I think you’re wrong an’ I’m goin’ to stick to it. The only reason I said I’d come over here tuh question these brats was all on your account. I wanted yuh to be satisfied, tuh see fer yourself. We’re jus’ wastin’ time. The thing tuh do is tuh go back, pick up that blame’ squaw an’ see if we can’t run that worthless ol’ rat tuh earth.”
Burnnel hated to admit that he was in the wrong, and in order to cover his chagrin and disappointment, he flew into a violent rage and for a period of nearly two minutes cursed wildly and furiously. As he did so, he paced back and forth, huge fists clinched, swinging his arms violently. With a final snarl, he cuffed Dick across the head, sending the young man reeling back dizzily. His large moccasined foot, swinging up, brushed Sandy’s thigh. Then he seized Emery by the shoulder.
“Come on! Let’s get out o’ here!”
The little man’s head jerked back with a snap. He, too, became furious. They were still cursing and storming at each other as they disappeared from view.
The boys could scarcely believe their good fortune. They had not expected to escape from the encounter with so little injury. They had not even been taken prisoners. Their only loss had been that of their money and their revolvers—a thing which troubled them little. Meade, Dick was quite certain, would willingly help them out, as soon as they explained their predicament.
Of course, they couldn’t go back to the road-house until Burnnel, Emery and the woman had taken their leave. Tonight they must remain in the woods, sleeping out under the trees. Also they must find Toma.
Through the blue, enveloping twilight, they wandered hither and thither, calling out his name. For hours they searched in vain. In response to their repeated halloos, no cheery answer came. The deep silence drew in around them.
“He’s gone for help,” Sandy decided, flinging himself down on a soft carpet of moss and pine-needles, and looking up anxiously into Dick’s face.
His chum sighed wearily.