Nevertheless, here she goes." So saying he blazed away with both barrels, allowing a margin of a few seconds to occur between the shots.
Then both lads bent their ears and listened carefully.
The night breeze was sighing among the pines and hemlocks, but it carried no answering sound to their waiting ears.
When several minutes had gone by Cuthbert thrust a couple more shells into the barrels of the gun and once more let go.
Again silence alone repaid their anxious attention.
If the missing one heard those signal shots he was in no condition to reply, and that would mean, of course, that he must be in trouble.
Cuthbert looked at his friend.
"It doesn't seem to be of any use.

After that I can't doubt but what something uncomfortable has happened to Eli.

He's a jolly fellow, and I think the world of him.

If any harm came to pass I'd feel wretched, for it was my foolish idea that brought him up here," he said disconsolately.
"Oh, I wouldn't feel that way about it.

A fellow like Eli must run a certain amount of risk, no matter where he is.