“Yes, it’s sure my duty to save him, even if I has to seem agin him. That was what my mother said to me. Amos Simmons, I guess you’re right. I’d die if my dad was sent to jail. He ain’t never been there yet, you know. What do you want me to do, boy?” and she shivered, as if her resolution was made.
“Wait and see,” whispered Amos, “two of us ought to be able to beat a pair like that. They’re only bunglers, anyway. I’m dependin’ on you, girl, remember. When Teddy Overton comes, you’ll be right glad you promised to help. You’ve heard of his dad, the head of the big lumber company, ain’t you? But laugh a little, Sallie, ’cause Gabe, he’s watchin’ us like a hawk, right now. It wouldn’t be good for us if he thought we was hatchin’ up a way to pull the wool over his eyes. Laugh, and make out as how I was sayin’ something funny like.”
Sallie understood, and played her part so well that Hackett, who had been growing suspicious at seeing them with their heads together as if in confidential conversation, seemed satisfied that all was well, for he went on with his argument.
And so the minutes crept on. An hour had passed since they heard those three shots. The boys must be on the trail, and presently Gabe and Crawley would be considering it high time they set their trap. And yet Amos had not been able to figure out just how he was going to prevent the capture from taking place.
CHAPTER XIV
DOLPH HEARS ABOUT THE HAUNTED CABIN
Teddy Overton busied himself for several minutes around the spot where they could easily see, a deer had been butchered.
Dolph watched his chum eagerly, now and then casting an uneasy glance toward the scene of the late tragedy; as though the mutilated remains of the deer might tell the story, if only gifted with the power of speech.