CHAPTER VIII.
A FRIEND IN NEED "Hey! What hit me ?" demanded Hippy Wingate, opening his eyes.
"Keep shet!" commanded a surly voice near at hand.
Hippy tried to raise his arms, but could not.

They were roped to his sides, as he discovered now that he was regaining full consciousness.

A dim light filtering through an opening that he could not see, for it was behind him, showed Lieutenant Wingate that he was lying in one of the shallow caves that may be found almost anywhere in the Kentucky mountains.
"How did I--I get here ?" he ventured to ask.
The other occupant of the cave stepped up and gave the captive a vicious prod with his boot.
"Ouch! Say, you! Don't be so infernally rough about it.

Kicking is a dangerous habit to get into.

One of these days you will forget yourself and kick a Kentucky mule.