CHAPTER FOUR
JUD LED THE WAY THROUGH THE TREES WITH Viola at his heels, both careful not to step where dry underbrush might make unnecessary noise. There was always the possibility that the old coot at the cabin might get aggressive, might be sneaking up on them. Without speaking of it, he and Viola were both aware of the danger.
The animosity between them had for the moment disappeared, just as it had come to focus between Jud and Sam.
Finally they heard the gurgle of the stream. Jud paused; Viola looked at him with sharp anticipation. "It's just over there," he whispered.
He started quietly in the direction of the sound.
"Shhhh," he cautioned her, holding a finger to his lips. "It may be in sight of the cabin, and it's probably in the open."
Finally they reached the end of the c
