“Say! we’ve given him enough,” growled Dig, looking at Chet.
“We don’t need both these brace of birds,” said Chet, who was skinning the grouse. “Let’s not be piggish.”
“Piggish! by the last hoptoad that was chased out of Ireland!” gasped his chum. “Are you going to support these lazy thieves all the rest of the way to Grub Stake?”
Tony came nearer and put a hand beside his mouth, as he whispered:
“Mebbe we ain’t goin’ right away to Grub Stake. You want to watch us close’t if ye expect to keep in our company.”
“What do you mean, Tony?” demanded Chet, as he tossed the man a pair of the plump birds.
But the fellow would say no more. He only looked sly and grinned in his silly way. When he wanted to be obstinate, as Dig said, Tony Traddles was the equal of any mule.
CHAPTER XXVII—DIG’S GREAT IDEA
“What do you reckon that nuisance meant?” demanded Digby Fordham the minute Tony Traddles was out of hearing.
“He was hinting at something. Whether he meant to help us, or confuse us, I do not know,” confessed Chet.