If he was shouting, then it may have been several hundred yards, perhaps
a quarter of a mile off; but I think we'll come across him closer than
that."

"I agree with you, Jerry," said Frank, stopping short.

"What did you hear?" demanded the other, for Frank had bent his head,
and seemed to be listening over his shoulder.

"I don't know. Perhaps it was a bush springing back into place after our
passage. But suppose we shout occasionally? It may encourage the poor
fellow, and besides, guide us to where he lies," returned Frank, once
more pushing on.

Accordingly they lifted up their voices and gave a series of calls.

"Why doesn't he answer us?" asked Will, astonished when only the echoes
came back from the surrounding forest.

Frank stopped in his tracks.

"Can he have fainted from loss of blood?" said Bluff, still having in
mind a picture of a woodsman who had severed an artery by a misblow of
his ax.

"There's Frank listening again, and he seems to be paying more attention
to our rear than ahead," remarked Will, puzzled.

"I bet you he thinks somebody is playing us for a lot of fools; that
there isn't any one hurt, or in need of help at all. What's that?"