"It looks like Indian summer," said Jim.
"Indeed, it ought to with that crowd down there," I said.
"That's a good one," grinned Jim, "I wonder if those guys wouldn't appreciate the joke. Come up here, big Injun, I want to tell you something."
But none of them accepted Jim's cordial invitation. A few of the more cultured and learned swore at us in bad English. But I guess all swearing is bad English.
As the day wore on I began to suffer acutely from thirst. I shall never forget that longing for water. It seemed as if I would be willing to sacrifice my life for a good, full, everlasting drink of the cool mountain stream that was gurgling only a few hundred feet away. But as far as getting to it was concerned, it might just as well have been in York State.
"I hope that Tom and the captain don't discover us and try to rescue us," said Jim, "for I very much fear it would be a great risk to no purpose."
"What do you expect to do?" I asked Jim. "We can't stand this many days."
"We will see to-night," remarked Jim, mysteriously.
I doubt if he really had any plan in mind. This was just to encourage me with the hope of some way of escape.
"Just look at the smoke rolling over the mountains, Jim!" I exclaimed.