at these tracks
had been made purposely, and by Nat? Why, I just had an idea one of the
bunch was a little careless, that's all."

"Well, you'll know better after this, Matty. But stand back, and let's
see what luck I'll have, if so be you fellows haven't killed the trail
by running around."

They watched his actions eagerly, each fellow bent on learning all he
could of the science that was already proving to be so interesting.

First of all Elmer took a comprehensive survey of the ground above; for
everyone understood that those they were tracking must be aiming to
reach some cave or crevice farther up the slope.

Then, having settled in his mind about where the fugitives might be
aiming for, the scout master began to look for marks on the rocks.

For a little while he found it very hard work, indeed, but after
reaching the limits of the search maintained by Matty and those with
him, the task became considerably easier.

And mindful of his position as acting scout master to the troop during
the temporary absence of Mr. Garrabrant, Elmer made it a point to
explain more or less as he went along.

"See, here is where one of the men slipped on this rock, and left a new
scratch. And this shows where another broke a twig off this branch in
passing. You can see it has been freshly done, because the green leaves
do not show much sign of wilting."

In this fashion, then, he not only intensely interested his followers,
but continued to make progress all the while.

Most of the boys were eager to get points on such an engaging subject as
trail finding. These hung upon his every word, examined the marks to
which Elmer drew their attention, commented upon the same among
themselves, and several even went so far as to take out memorandum books
in which they hastily scribbled such notes as would enable them to
remember.

All the while they were climbing higher, and by degrees found themselves
in a wilder section than any of them had dreamed existed so near their
home town of Hickory Ridge.

"Looks like there might be a few caves around such a place as this,"
remarked Red, as he wiped his face with the red bandana handkerchief
which he had hung cowboy fashion around his neck, with the knot at the
back.

"Oh, that's a dead-sure thing," replied Ty, who happened to be close at
his elbow at the time. "Fact is, I've seen several myself. Anyhow, they
were dark, ugly looking holes between big rocks, and if this was a game
coun