Oh! wouldn't I be sore if she
got tired of waiting, and went back home."

"All the same," Thad remarked, confidently, "I don't think Polly would
ever do such a mean thing as that. She understands just how crazy you
are to know, and she's right now putting herself in your place. No,
Polly will wait up for us, make your mind easy on that, Bob. I wish I
was as sure that we'd get there, safe and sound."

"Oh! I'm done with my capers, mind you, Thad," returned Bob, eagerly.
"Since you've taken the lead, there's no chance for us to go pitching
over a precipice. When they catch a weasel asleep, and no mortal man
ever did that, I've heard, they'll hear of Thad Brewster making a fool
move."

"It's nice of you to say that, anyway, Bob; I only wish I deserved the
compliment you pay me. But we'd better talk less, and get on a little
faster."

And after Thad had given this gentle little hint the conversation
lagged; Bob realized that it was really no time to carry on any sort of
talk; and that when they could not tell what dangers might be close
around them in that inky darkness, they would be far wiser to keep a
padlock on their lips.

Each time they stopped they again saw the signal lights flashing out
here and there across the way, or below. They seemed like giant
fireflies, striving to free themselves from some invisible bonds. But
the boys knew very well what it meant, and that the moonshiners of the
Blue Ridge were holding an animated fire talk.

They met no animal on the way, which Thad thought was a piece of good
luck. Even though he did carry his faithful little Marlin, which could
send a powerful charge of shot a long distance; and close in, serve all
the purposes of a big bore rifle, or musket, all the same, Thad was not
desirous of meeting with any new and thrilling adventure.

Such things were all very nice after they had passed along, and one sat
comfortably by a camp-fire, relating the circumstance; but while in
process of action they were apt to bring a cold chill along in their
train, not at all comfortable.

"It must be after the time we set, isn't it, Thad?" Bob finally asked,
in a low voice, when they rested again.

The scoutmaster could not look at his little cheap but reliable watch
without striking a match; and there was really no necessity for doing
that. It made very little difference whether they were ahead, or
somewhat behind the hour arranged for their meeting with Polly. And
besides, there w