I don't think Randy will blame me much."

"It means good-by to our supper though," replied Clay, "and from the way
that dog eats, his appetite won't be more than half satisfied when he
finishes the cake. We had better be moving on."

This was prudent advice, and the boys made quick time across the field,
not feeling thoroughly safe until they were in the shelter of the woods.
The ground now began to ascend, and a few moments later they gained the
top of the hill and saw the silvery thread of the creek shining far
below them.

It took some time to descend, owing to the steepness of the slope, and
the rocks and bushes that obstructed the way. When they finally reached
the water's edge the duskiness of twilight had come, and they knew that
darkness would follow in a short time.

"I haven't the faintest idea where we are," said Ned uneasily; "of
course we are above the camp, no doubt of that; but just how far, is the
important question. I feel like kicking myself for making that awful
blunder to-day. It would be a nice thing if we had to tramp all night."

"You don't think the camp is that far away?" exclaimed Clay in alarm.

"Oh, no," replied Ned reassuringly. "We'll probably strike it before
long. The only thing we can do is to follow the creek until we reach
it."

Ned's words were far from expressing what was really in his mind. He
knew that the camp might be very close in a straight line, and yet miles
away by the tortuous windings of the creek. And the latter was the only
possible course to take. If they attempted the former they would almost
certainly become hopelessly lost.

It was soon evident that the worst might be expected. In the deepening
gloom the boys hurried along the shore as fast as their weary feet would
take them. Then the blackness of the night settled down on the water and
the forests, and they were compelled to move cautiously; for trees and
bushes were thick, and here and there a ravine had to be crossed, or a
brawling stream.

Ned bravely kept up his spirits, and did his best to cheer Clay.

"It can't be much farther," he would say now and then; "keep your ears
open for the roar of those rapids. That will tell us when we are near
camp."

But the night lengthened without bringing the welcome sound, and at last
the boys found their progress abruptly barred by a steep bluff that fell
abruptly into the water. It was not the hill that lay in the vicinity of
camp, else the rapids could surely