The two then began a wary journey through the corn. One by one the long aisles between the rows appeared. As they glanced along each of them it seemed as if some gruesome thing had just previously vacated it. Old Peter halted once and whispered: "Say, look a' here; supposin'--supposin'--" "Supposin' what?" demanded the major. "Supposin'--" said Peter. "Well, remember you got th' gun, an' I hain't got anythin'." "Thunder!" said the major. When they got to where the stalks were very short because of the shade cast by the trees of the wood, they halted again. The leaves were gently swishing in the breeze. Before them stretched the mystic green wall of the forest, and there seemed to be in it eyes which followed each of their movements. Peter at last said, "I don't believe there's anybody in there." "Yes, there is, too," said the major. "I'll bet anythin' he's in there." "How d' yeh know?" asked Peter. "I'll bet he ain't within a mile o' here." The major suddenly ejaculated, "Listen!" They bent forward, scarce breathing, their mouths agape, their eyes glinting. Finally, the major turned his head. "Did yeh hear that?" he said hoarsely. "No," said Peter in a low voice. "What was it?" The major listened for a moment. Then he turned again. "I thought I heerd somebody holler!" he explained cautiously. They both bent forward and listened once more. Peter, in the intentness of his attitude, lost his balance, and was obliged to lift his foot hastily and with noise. "S-s-sh!" hissed the major. After a minute Peter spoke quite loudly: "Oh, shucks! I don't believe yeh heerd anythin'." The major made a frantic downward gesture with his hand. "Shet up, will yeh!" he said in an angry undertone. Peter became silent for a moment, but presently he said again: "Oh, yeh didn't hear anythin'." The major turned to glare at his companion in despair and wrath. "What's th' matter with yeh? Can't yeh shet up?" "Oh, this here ain't no use. If you're goin' in after 'im, why don't yeh go in after 'im?" "Well, gimme time, can't yeh?" said the major in a growl. And, as if to add more to this reproach, he climbed the fence that compassed the woods, looking resentfully back at his companion. "Well," said Peter, when the major paused. The major stepped down upon the thick carpet of brown leaves that stretched under the trees. He turned then to whisper: "You wait here, will yeh?" His face was red with determination. "Well, hol' on a minnet!" said Peter. "You--I--we'd better--" "No," said the major. "You wait here."