u come a-runnin', will yeh?"

"Well, I hain't got no gun nor nuthin'," said Peter, in the same low
tone; "what good 'ud I do?"

"Well, yeh might come along with me an' watch," said the major. "Four
eyes is better'n two."

"If I had a gun----" began Peter.

"Oh, yeh don't need no gun," interrupted the major, waving his hand.
"All I'm afraid of is that I won't find 'im. My eyes ain't so good as
they was."

"Well----"

"Come along," whispered the major. "Yeh hain't afraid, are yeh?"

"No, but----"

"Well, come along, then. What's th' matter with yeh?"

Peter climbed the fence. He paused on the top rail and took a prolonged
stare at the inscrutable woods. When he joined the major in the
cornfield he said, with a touch of anger:

"Well, you got the gun. Remember that. If he comes for me, I hain't got
a blame thing!"

"Shucks!" answered the major. "He ain't agoin' t' come for yeh."

The two then began a wary journey through the corn. One by one the
long aisles between the rows appeared. As they glanced along each of
them it seemed as if some gruesome thing had just previously vacated
it. Old Peter halted once and whispered: "Say, look a' here;
supposin'--supposin'----"

"Supposin' what?" demanded the major.

"Supposin'----" said Peter. "Well, remember you got th' gun, an' I
hain't got anythin'."

"Thunder!" said the major.

When they got to where the stalks were very short because of the shade
cast by the trees of the wood, they halted again. The leaves were gently
swishing in the breeze. Before them stretched the mystic green wall of
the forest, and there seemed to be in it eyes which followed each of
their movements.

Peter at last said, "I don't believe there's anybody in there."

"Yes, there is, too," said the major. "I'll bet anythin' he's in there."

"How d' yeh know?" asked Peter. "I'll bet he ain't within a mile o'
here."

The major suddenly ejaculated, "Listen!"

They bent forward, scarce breathing, their mouths agape, their eyes
glinting. Finally, the major turned his head. "Did yeh hear that?" he
said hoarsely.

"No," said Peter, in a low voice. "What was it?"

The major listened for a moment. Then he turned again. "I thought I
heered somebody holler!" he explained cautiously.

They both bent forward and listened once more. Peter in the intentness
of his attitude lost his balance and was obliged to lift his foot
hastily and with noise. "S-s-sh!" hissed the major.

After a minute P