“Never mind the fish,” said Westy; “do what I tell you and be careful. Walk slantingways toward the brook—upstream—and walk into the brook that way. Step in as if you were walking upstream. All right, that’s all right. Now come down toward me—keep in the water, whatever you do.”
It was a bewildered but obedient pair that waded downstream toward Westy. They had approached the brook against the current and entered it at an angle suggestive of continuing in that direction. Then, dutifully, they had turned and approached Westy.
“Is it all right to bring my safety-pin?” asked Ed.
“Follow me,” said Westy.
“I demand an explanation,” said Ed. “I fished and caught some fish with my safety-pin, then we waited for you before starting a fire——”
“Yes, thank goodness for that,” said Westy.
“We fell asleep, waiting,” said Warde; “we were good and tired.”
“We tried to keep awake telling Ford stories,” said Ed. “Did you ever hear that one about—what’s the matter anyway, are we pinched?”
“Listen,” said Westy, “and stop your fooling. I’ll tell you now, though every minute counts, I can tell you that. There are two robbers camped under that big tree, they’re asleep-”
“I don’t blame them,” said Ed. “I was asleep myself.”