arently. There was a lot of hallooing going on from one
to another, while loud voices and laughter marked the return of
stragglers who had dropped out of the chase.

With so many stumbling about in the dark Phil reckoned that the
unavoidable snapping of dry sticks in their scramble through the
undergrowth would pass unnoticed long enough to enable them to get well
away. Once or twice they crouched in silence to allow groups of men to
pass them; for Kendrick was now taking a course parallel to the tote
road. Every little while he paused to listen for the fresh outbreak
that would take place back at the camp as soon as Red McIvor had got
enough of his men together to start an organized pursuit. He grinned
presently as a chorus of hallooing flung wide upon the night to apprize
those farthest away that something had gone wrong and to recall them.
By this time, however, the three fugitives were almost within reach of
their goal and could afford to slacken pace in favor of stealth.

The temporary refuge for which Phil was heading was a rocky elevation
which rose not more than a stonesthrow from the logging road. It
marked the end of a spur which jutted out from the ridge than ran
toward Kinogama Falls. Some by-gone age of upheaval had thrust skyward
a huge pillar of granite and the centuries had gathered about its base
a rubble of boulders and earth in which the forest growths had taken
root and spread up the slopes. On the top of this hill was a
basin-like depression which made a natural rampart for defensive
purposes and Phil had remarked as much on the day that he and Cristy
Lawson had climbed to it. They had stood looking around at the huge
broken slabs of granite and speculating upon the oddness of the
formation, while their conversation had taken on an academic flavor as
they discussed the nebular and glacial theories. They had discovered
at the bottom of a great cleft in the rock, a spring of sparkling
water, so cold that it was impossible to drink it without frequent
pauses. They had named the place "The Saucer," had eaten their lunch
there. He remembered how beautiful she had looked as she talked in
carefree animation and he had taken her hand to pilot her among the
rocks and---- That was just three days ago!

"Easy now, fellows," cautioned Phil in a whisper. "It's just a short
climb, but watch your step. Give me your hand, Cork, and you take hold
of Jimmy's. For the life of you don't dislodge any st