at you sure hoped we'd run up against a mystery, because we've always
been so lucky in solving such things in the days gone by. Now you seem
to have changed your song."

"Lots of things have changed since you heard me pipe up that way,"
suggested Jimmy, as he poured himself another cup of coffee, which was
taken black, since they had no milk, all of the condensed kind having
gone with the canoes.

"But don't you feel anxious about that queer, disappearing fleet?"
demanded Teddy.

"I'm a heap sight more concerned right now about the disappearing grub,"
he was informed. "The shape we're putting it away tells how soon it'll
be down to the last crumb. If we keep on as we're doing, I figure we've
got just enough for, say two more days. Then it's going to be a case of
hustle, or go hungry."

"Oh! with our bully guns, and such clever shots along, we'll get all the
meat we want, I shouldn't wonder. Coffee we'll have to do without;
likewise, lots of other good things. But we won't starve, Jimmy."

"As an explorer, Teddy, I reckon you've read that often Dr. Kane and his
Arctic expedition had to cut up their deerskin boots, and make soup out
of the same. S'pose'n we had to come to that now, how'd you like it?"
and Jimmy chuckled, as he saw the other shudder.

The meal ended, and the small fire was extinguished, for these scouts
had long ago learned never under any circumstances to leave a
smouldering fire when breaking camp. They knew only too well that often
a sudden wind arising has carried live coals from such into the dead
leaves near by, and started most disastrous conflagrations.

"One good thing about this hike is that we go light," Ned told them, as
they began to gather their few belongings together.

"Nothing like seeing the silver lining to the cloud," added Jack;
"though, if it was put to a vote right now, I rather think every scout
would agree to tote even a tent on his back, if we could in that way get
our belongings again."

"Just try me, that's what," said Jimmy. "All that fine grub wasted on a
measly lot of half-breeds, who can't appreciate a jar of orange
marmalade any more'n they can olives or imported cheese. But then
there's no use crying over spilt milk, and it might have been worse."

"Yes, think of what a pickle we'd be in right now, if they'd managed to
hook our guns as well as the boats and blankets?" suggested Teddy. "We'd
just have to throw up our hands and surrender, then, I suppose."

"Not