, since the
gravel beach and the grassy soil beyond it left no traces.

Ned washed his face and hands and returned to the tent with a troubled
mind. The boys were awake by this time, and he told them of his
discovery.

"Hullo! that explains something," exclaimed Clay. "I got awake last
night, and struck a match to find the pail of water that was standing
outside the tent. I thought I heard a noise down by the creek, but I was
too sleepy to bother about it, and went back to bed."

"Then you must have scared these fellows off," said Ned. "That accounts
for nothing being stolen. Everything of value was in the tent, however,
and I don't suppose they cared to meddle with the canoes."

"Do you think these are the same men that the farmer chased off his
land?" asked Randy.

"Very likely," replied Ned. "I'm sorry now that I didn't inquire more
about them. The best thing we can do is to break camp and put about ten
miles between us and this place."

"That would be cowardly," exclaimed Randy. "We have no reason to be
afraid of these fellows. They'll get a warm reception if they meddle
around camp again. Let's stay here for one day anyhow. We won't find
many prettier places, and besides, I'm anxious to do some hunting and
fishing."

Clay seemed disposed to side with Randy, while Nugget favored both sides
of the question. He wanted to go, and he was just as anxious to catch
some more bass down at the point of rocks.

Ned hesitated for a moment. He knew that it would be the more prudent
plan to break camp at once, but the same time he was not inclined to
insist upon it, and thus incur the ill will of his companions.

"I see that the majority is against me," he said good naturedly. "But if
we get in any kind of a scrape you fellows will shoulder the blame,
that's all."

The boys appeared to be satisfied with this arrangement. They trooped
off to the brook to wash, while Ned turned aside to make the fire.

After breakfast Randy shouldered his gun and started down the creek in
search of snipe or woodcock. Clay and Nugget caught a pailful of minnows
and departed for the point of rocks, for this was the time of day when
the bass would probably bite best.

Ned did not accompany them. He had the true appreciation of outdoor
life, and was never happier than when doing odd bits of work around the
camp. He occupied himself in this way for an hour or two--arranging the
interior of the tent, hanging the blankets out to air, stack