CHAPTER NINETEEN
HOW ABNER FARED
On leaving the two boys Abner had no definite purpose of making any extensive investigation of the enemies’ stronghold. Disgusted with his failure, gloomy because of the rain and hungry for some of Noisy Charlie’s cooking he felt much out of sorts and plunged into the wet woods to relieve his feelings.
But as he proceeded and drew nearer the strange camp his old curiosity as a cruiser returned and he speedily forgot his damp clothing and wet feet. At times he believed he could smell the acrid reek of the burning wood, and, halting, would sniff the air keenly.
Possibly he had covered two-thirds of the distance when with his mind on the camp and believing the strangers would not be abroad in the storm he stepped boldly into a small glade and found himself staring into the surprised eyes of Big Nick, only eight or ten rods away. If the half-breed recovered his presence of mind in a second he was a shade behind Abner, who with one spring vanished into the woods. The
331
