"I had an
idea that the boy would stand by me if I got into trouble, and here
he runs away, leaving me lying unconscious in the freezing
atmosphere of this desolate old cavern. I didn't think it of him!"
It occurred to George as he studied over the puzzle that Thede
might not have been as innocent and loyal as he had pretended to
be. He might have been merely an instrument in the hands of a
cunning man.
"At any rate," the boy pondered, "we have found the Little Brass
God!"
He had not, of course, secured possession of it, but he had learned
definitely that it was in that part of the country. He wondered as
to the identity of the man who sat watching the fire. The light
had been dim, and it might have been Pierre for all he knew. Or it
might have been an accomplice of the tricky trapper.
"Now, I wonder how I'm going to get back to camp," the boy mused as
he piled on more wood and spread his hands to the cheerful warmth
of the fire. "Judging from the time it took us to get here, it
must be ten or twelve miles back to the camp."
"The boys will think I've deserted them, I guess," he added. "If
they knew how hungry I am just at this minute, they'd send out a
relief expedition!"
While the boy warmed himself before the fire a series of growls
came from the entrance to the cavern, and two black bears looked in
upon him.
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