“What do you think of it?” he asked of Bogle.
“Not very fresh, eh?” replied Raikes.
“Exactly. The scamp is traveling at a two-forty gait. It will be wasting time to keep this up any longer.”
“And the game’s not worth the candle, anyhow,” added Raikes.
He looked meaningly at his companion. They moved away from Brick to a ledge of rocks that extended clear to the brook. For several minutes they conversed in low tones. They pointed first to the stream, and then to the rocks on which they stood. The latter, owing to their exposed position, had been blown full of snow. Finally the men returned to Brick.
“We’ve decided to give up the pursuit,” said Raikes. “Instead of gaining, we’ve been falling behind.”
“Sorry we brought you on such a wild-goose chase,” added Bogle, “but it can’t be helped.”
“I don’t care much,” replied Brick. “Only it’s a long ways back. Are you going with me?”
“I reckon not,” said Bogle. “In fact, you had better go along with us. You’re pretty tired, lad, so I’ll carry your rifle for you.”
By a quick movement, he snatched the weapon.