morning. They seemed somehow to have missed a trail that was to have
cut the distance greatly. Billy clung breathlessly to his cramped
position and waited. He hoped they wouldn't get out and try to find the
way, for then some of them might see him, and he was so stiff he was
sure he would bungle getting out of the way. But after a breathless
moment the car started on more slowly, and finally turned down a steep
rough place, scarcely a trail, into the deeper woods. For a long time
they went along, slower and slower, into the blackness of night it
seemed. There was no moon, and the men had turned off the lights. There
was nothing but a pocket flash which one of them carried, and turned on
now and again to show them the way. The engine too was muffled and went
snuffing along through the night like a blind thing that had been
gagged. Billy began to wonder if he would ever find his legs useful
again. Sharp pains shot through his joints, and he became aware of
sleep dropping upon his straining eyes like a sickening cloud. Yet he
must keep awake.

He squirmed about and changed his position, staring into the darkness
and wondering if this journey was ever to end. Now they were bumping
down a bank, and slopping through water, not very deep, a small
mountain stream on one of the levels. He tried to think where it must
be, but was puzzled. They seemed to have traveled part of the way in
curves. Twice they stopped and backed up and seemed to be returning on
their tracks. They crossed and recrossed the little stream, and the
driver was cursing, and insisting on more light. At last they began
climbing again and the boy drew a breath of relief. He could tell
better where he was on the heights. He began to think of morning and
Sabbath Valley bathed in its Sabbath peace, with the bells chiming a
call to worship--and _he not there!_ Aunt Saxon would be
_crazy!_ She would bawl him out! _He should worry!_ and she