ute now over the
boundary lines, and "Old Man Perkins' claim hadn't a leg to stand
on," as Tom Walsh expressed it, when the report was read to him.
Nothing remained now but to await the decision of the railroad
officials as to whose property they would buy.

The three lads, Ralph and Tom and Blake, had gained some valuable
experience in their work with the surveying squad. Toward the
end, Ralph had been able to go about with the others everywhere
except on the stony slopes of the hills, where the walking was
difficult. His work on the garden patches completed, he had a
brief interval of welcome leisure to spend with his helpful guests.

"Well, boys, I guess we'll start for camp to-morrow, if Joe turns
up to guide us," Rawson said the evening after the survey was
completed. "Why don't you come with us, Ralph? I'm sure your
mother can spare you for a few days, and we'd all be delighted to
have you make us a visit at camp."

"Yes, you bet we would!" added Blake. "You'll come, Ralph, won't
you?" Tom asked in his quiet, cordial way.

"What do you say, mother?" said Ralph.. "Can you---I mean, won't
you be glad to be rid of me for a few days and have Aunt Sarah make
you a visit here?"

"Not glad to be rid of you, son," returned Mrs. Kenyon, smiling
fondly. "But I wish you would go! It would be real fun for you.
Your aunt is coming surely, so. I shan't be lonely at all. Go along,
like a good boy."

"All right, I will. Thanks for inviting me, Mr. Rawson."

Thus it was arranged that Ralph should accompany them on a hike
through the backwoods that extended for many miles between his
farm and Pioneer Lake, southward. Earlier than usual he rose
next morning and attended thoroughly to the chores; then, after
a hearty breakfast, the four hikers bade Mrs. Kenyon good-bye
and set out for a place in the woods where Joe was to meet them.
This place was at the lower extremity of a small lake called
Placid, which was cupped in the hills about two miles from the farm.

"We'll play we're prospectors and look for signs of iron deposits on
your land, as we go along," said Rawson.

They went steadily on for over an hour, pausing only to test inviting
rocks with their hammers and to allow Tom to take some photos of
birds and plants. Unfortunately the foxes' den appeared to be
deserted that spring, and Ralph felt a pang of regret at the thought
that perhaps the foxes that usually took up their abode there had
fallen victi