But, as the afternoon wore on, and they kept making steady progress away from the river, they came to the conclusion that Jacques and Henri must have had some scheme in mind of cutting off a great bend in the river, the existence of which was well known to them. By making this straight cut across country, perhaps they were saving themselves many miles’ tramp.
All of this was of course based upon the supposition that they meant to keep on heading into the south, and perhaps reaching the lower country at New Orleans.
As they walked steadily along, from time to time Sandy, of course, felt compelled to air his grievances, and he was always sure of a sympathetic auditor in his brother.
CHAPTER XXVIII
CREEPING UP ON THE QUARRY
“Isn’t it a shame that we won’t be able to catch up with them before dark comes?” Sandy began.
“Well, how do we know that yet?” returned Bob.
“Do you really think there’s any chance, then?” asked the other, feverishly.
“About one in ten,” answered Bob. “Something might cause them to stop, and go into camp. Then, as evening came on we would sight their fire, and be able to steal up close to them. Or it might be one of them could twist his ankle in a creeper, and have a tumble that would bruise him so badly he would want to lie over to rest up. There’s always a slender chance of such things happening, you know, Sandy.”