“I wouldn’t do that, if I were you, Bill Nackerson!”
Looking in the direction whence these words came, Frank saw with the liveliest satisfaction that the speaker was no other than Mr. Darrel, the lumberman.
CHAPTER XII—BLUFF TAKES A HAND
A great load seemed lifted from Frank’s mind. With the coming of the lumberman, he had good reason to believe things would brighten up. For one thing, he was pleased to see that Mr. Darrel carried a rifle, which he was holding in a half-threatening manner as he advanced.
“Oh, here’s where we get busy right away!” Bluff was heard to mutter.
“Now things are going to look different,” Jerry added, with considerable satisfaction.
Frank looked deeper than the surface. He saw that the lumberman was alone.
“There are three of the sportsmen,” Frank told himself, “and each carries a gun. Mr. Darrel wouldn’t be able to manage the bunch if they started to get ugly. We ought to be able to lend a hand.”
He did not think it advisable to go toward the cabin himself, but that was no reason some one else might not make the attempt.
“Bluff!” he whispered, for it happened that the other was close by his elbow.