I don't know what to make of this lack of attention on the part of
our enemies!"
"It may be," Oliver suggested, "that they have taken alarm and ducked
with the prince."
"That is just what I fear," Ned answered. "It will spoil all my plans
if they move now; still, I admit that they've had enough unpleasant
experiences here to make them long for a quieter retreat!"
The boys prepared supper, taking pains to provide enough food for
Frank and Dode, but they did not come. The meal over, Ned made ready
for a trip down the mountain.
"I'm going to Chimney rock," he said to the boys. "I should like to
have one of you with me, but two ought to remain here. I'm going to
take some rockets with me. If I do not return before midnight, one of
you advance along the summit to the south, provided with rockets. If
one of my rockets is seen, the watcher must send one up to notify the
boy in camp. Then both must make a run for Chimney rock, traveling so
as to come upon it from the up-hill side. Is that clear?"
"Perfectly," Oliver declared. "You are going to bring this prince
back with you?"
"Perhaps!" laughed Ned. "I may have to bring Frank and Dode back with
me!"
There was only the light of the stars when Ned reached the vicinity
of Chimney rock, coming in from the slope to the north and moving
with extreme caution.
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