“That reminds me that we’d better go around by way of the crossroads,” said Herb. “Doughnuts ate up the last bit of jam last night, and if we’re going on a picnic we’ve got to have jam.”
The boys agreed on the necessity, and so started to detour through the woods in the direction of the little crossroads country store, where a few things, they had discovered, could be bought.
But they were destined not to reach the store that afternoon. They had never gone straight from the ranger station to the place, and so the country through which they were passing was new to them.
They knew there was no possibility of their becoming lost, however, for Mr. Bentley told them that if they followed straight along the path they were now on they would come out right at the crossroads.
However, the way was long and as they had been climbing steadily they finally sat down on the crest of a low mountain to regain their breath and look at the scenery.
It was then that Joe discovered, half-way down the mountainside, a curious gaping hole, half concealed by intertwining underbrush.
“Look!” he said. “That looks like a fair-sized cave to me.”
“Let’s go and have a closer look at it,” said Bob, curiously. “It’s probably just a hole, but there may be something interesting about it.”
Jimmy protested, for his short legs were weary, but Herb yanked him to his feet and gave him a shove in the direction of the cave. Jimmy had not been any too securely balanced in the first place, and Herb’s shove had the effect of lifting him completely from his feet. He fell, landed on his side and rolled down the steep side of the mountain, turning over and over and grasping wildly at roots and stones in his path.
So suddenly had it happened that for a moment the other boys only stared. Then, as poor Jimmy went on rolling and finally disappeared in the gaping mouth of the cave they gathered their wits and made after him. Smothering their mirth, they half slid, half fell, down the mountain side.
The ground was rough and stony and they were afraid that Jimmy might be really hurt. Their fears were set at rest, however, when, upon peering into the dark cavern, they found that Jimmy had regained his feet and was glaring with a mixture of sheepishness and rage at Herb.