In fact, like most imaginative children, he became slightly terrified at his own alarming precautions.

Nevertheless, although a word or an outcry from him would have at that moment brought the distant group to his assistance, a certain respect to himself and his brother kept him from uttering even a whimper of weakness.
Yet he found refuge, oddly enough, in a suppressed but bitter denunciation of the other boys of his acquaintance.

What was Cal.
Harrison doing, while he, Johnny, was alone in the woods, wounded in a grown-up duel--for nothing would convince this doughty infant that he had not been an active participant?
Where was Jimmy Snyder that he didn't come to his assistance with the other fellers?
Cowards all; they were afraid.

Ho, ho! And he, Johnny, wasn't afraid! ho--he didn't mind it! Nevertheless he had to repeat the phrase two or three times until, after repeated struggles to move forward through the brush, he at last sank down exhausted.

By this time the distant group had slowly moved away, carrying something between them, and leaving Johnny alone in the fast coming darkness.