Uncle Toby had witnessed this threatened exodus with signs of alarm.
"Whar ye gwine, Marse Frank? Ain't 'spectin' to leab dis chile erlone hyah be yuh? I doan't like dem owls a-whoopin' dar in de big timber: an' I sure reckons dar might be bars an' wildcats a-snoopin' round dis yer camp ter-night."
"We expect to be back before a great while, Uncle Toby. Just be getting supper ready for us in an hour or so. And have a good fire. Wild beasts will never trouble any one when backed by a blaze, remember. So-long!"
When they looked back, they could see the ancient darkey gazing with longing glances, as if he might be tempted to chase after them.
"Do you think Bluff can be in trouble?" asked Jerry, showing real solicitude in his voice and manner.
"I'm a little afraid of it. And I want to say right here that both of you have shown the right spirit in agreeing to come with me so quickly. It does you credit, boys," remarked Frank.
Will seemed to puff up a bit under the compliment, but Jerry sneered.
"Oh! I don't consider that anything at all. Bluff is a good fellow in spite of his butcher instincts, and I guess he'd go out of his way to help me," he said.
Frank looked at him, and opened his mouth to speak, but on second thought changed his mind.
Jerry seemed to know more about the woods than either of his chums. He had little trouble in guiding them across the territory that separated the rival camps, which was not more than a mile or so.