bunch, though; how the
fellows' eyes would pop out of their heads to see this whopping big chap
you landed. And I just know Steve will immediately press both hands on
his stomach, and say: 'That's about my size!'"

"Don't be too hard on Steve, Toby," chided Jack. "All of us have our
failings, and for one I've got my appetite along with me pretty much all
the time. He happens to be a big fellow, and in fine health, so he feels
hungry as many as six times a day, especially when in the woods, where
the air tones up the system."

Leaving the river with some regret they started to head for the camp
that lay possibly a mile and a half away "as the crow flies." Sometimes
they chatted as they walked along, and then again both of them would
fall silent, being taken up it might be with thoughts of those left
behind in dear old Chester.

It chanced to be during one of those quiet periods that Toby suddenly
shook the pole from which the string of fish dangled, as though
endeavoring to attract the attention of his companion without making any
noise. Glancing toward the other Jack saw him pointing with outstretched
finger; and as he turned his own eyes in the direction indicated he
discovered the cause of Toby's singular behavior.

There was a man in sight, though just then, as he was bending over, he
had apparently failed to discover their nearby presence. Jack instantly
sank down to the ground, and Toby imitated his example; after which they
crawled closer together, until they could exchange whispers.

"That's the man!" was the first low exclamation Toby gave utterance to.

"The man who came to the camp, and asked questions, do you mean?"
demanded Jack, taking a cautious peep over the tops of the bushes that
afforded them an effectual screen.

"Yep, he's the same one," Toby went on to say, decisively. "I recognize
his figure, and there, you can glimpse his face right now, which I'd
know among a thousand. But whatever can he be doing with that pickax?"

Jack seemed to be taking a deep interest in the actions of the
mysterious stranger. He watched him move a little further along, and
then start to dig with vigorous blows. They were quite close to him, and
his face could be plainly seen. Jack was studying it intently, as though
he might be comparing its leading features with a certain description
that had been given to him.

When presently Toby saw his chum starting to get his camera in working
order he drew a breath of admi