Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-24

that the boys could not BeC Op'
save by stepping over them.
''We'd better get breakfast without waiting
to be told" said Kirk, in low tone, to Dory
eve know we've got to do it, so we may as
we'll act as if we were perfectly willing
Glad of the chance to be alone with Kirk
where he could speak of what he had heard
on the previous evening, Dory nodded his
head, and the two were trying to get past
Tom, who lay nearest the door, when that
worthy sprang to his feet with a menacing
gesture toward the boys.
What are you up to now?" he cried, saw
agely, not sufficiently awake to know exactly
what he was saying
cts quite late in the morning, and we
thought we'd have breakfast ready by the time
you got up" said Kirk, moving aside as if to
avoid blow
''Well, you wait until you're told to get up.
When we want breakfast We'll let you know"
The boys understood from this that they
were not likely to establish a footing that in
the least resembled familiarity between them
selves and their captors, and they went back
to the place where they had passed the night,
to wait the pleasure of their masters.
Hang it! l can't go to sleep again" said
Tom, after he had lain quietly several min
utes, and then awoke his companion with
the words: Come, Dick, turn out and have
a squint at the valley. It's getting time for
breakfast
his rife and walked slowly down the hill.
Now you can get breakfast" said Tom, in
a surly tone; but cook it in here, for | don't
want any fires built out of doors"
The boys started for the brook, where they
refreshed themselves with partial bath, dur
ing which time Kirk found opportunity to
tell Dory exactly what it was the men had
done to the fire the evening previous and to
say:
I'VE must watch every chance for getting
away, and the best thing to do will be to get
in the habit of staying out of doors much
as they will let us. The time may come when
we can steal off while they're asleep or busy
about something"
Dick returned from what had evidently
been a tour of observation, and from that
time until after breakfast had been cooked
and eaten, the boys had no further oppor-
tunity for private conversation.
True to the plan he had formed, Kirk in
sisted on remaining out of doors; not that he
actually said to his captors that he wanted
to do so, but if he was called inside for any
purpose, he Immediately afterward returned
to point at one side Of the hut about fifty
feet from it, and directly at the edge of the |
clearing. In this place they were under the
surveillance of the men, and yet so far away
that a conversation carried on in low tones
could not be overheard.
Here the boys had discussed the situation
in all its bearings, the slight probability of
their making an escape while affairs continued
as they were, and what Bart had most likely |
done when he returned to the camp where he |
had left them.
81 think he went straight back to Pueblo"
said Kirk, decidedly, "for he must know that
he couldn't do anything alone"
"And if he did, don't see how Uncle Hen
ry can help us, for no one knows where we
are. According to what the men said last
night, we are to be here two weeks before
move is made. They. won't have anything to
do but watch US, and we are as powerless as
if we were in prison"
Don't jump Don't look this way! Don't
act as if you heard anything!" said a low,
distinct voice, directly from the thicket behind
them.
1t was impossible to prevent the start of as
tonishment the boys gave when they heard
this voice, which they knew to be Barts
Fortunately Dick, who happened to be on
watch at the time, turned his head at that
moment as the faithful guide was probably
aware, and the quick motion Of surprise made
by the boys was unnoticed They managed to
sit STILL without turning their heads, but
their hearts were beating so loudly that it
seemed as if their captors must hear the noise,
and know what it meant,
"I followed you all the way" continued
Bart, from the thicket "You hadn't been
gone from the camp but two or three hours
when l got there, and as soon as it was light
next morning | started on your trail Now,
one of you will act as if he was talking to the
other, and tell me, if you can, who it is that
has brought you here"
"Iwo men who robbed the Canon City
stage" said Kirk, following the instructions
given by Bart.
"Haven't you heard their names?"
"One is called Tom and the other Dick"
$50 they're the ones, are they" said the
that the information had made him more un-
easv concerning them than he was before