ng. The sled was piled high with several boxes and three bales
of hay.

"Get back!" cried Jack quickly. "That may be one of those Germans
coming, and I don't think it would be wise to let him see us."

They stepped behind some trees and brushwood, and soon the boxsled came
closer. Then another surprise awaited them, for the driver of the sled,
who was alone, was none other than the farmer they had rescued from the
burning railroad car.

"It's that fellow Crouse," whispered Gif. "What do you know about that?"

"Shall we go out and speak to him?" questioned Andy.

"I don't see that it would do any harm," said Jack. "We have a perfect
right to be out hunting in this neighborhood."

Accordingly they stepped out in the roadway almost directly in front of
the on-coming boxsled. The driver, who was crouched down with the big
collar of his overcoat turned up around his ears, had evidently been in
deep thought, for when he noticed them he straightened up in surprise
and brought his team to a sudden halt.

"Why, if it isn't our friend from the railroad train!" remarked Jack,
with a smile.

"Well, I never!" declared Herman Crouse, with a momentary look of
pleasure on his face. "How did you young gentlemen get up here?" And
then, of a sudden, a cloud came over his features.

"Can't you see we're out hunting?" answered Fred, pointing to the guns
and game in their bags.

"Yes, yes! To be sure! I forgot that you came up here to go hunting.
Have you had much success?"

"A little," answered Gif. "We've got a fox, and we've had quite a few
rabbits, squirrels, quail and partridges."

"Not so bad." Herman Crouse looked anxiously at the boys and Jed Wallop.
"Where are you staying?"

"At Cedar Lodge. It's several miles from here," answered Jack. And then
he continued: "You belong around here? I thought you said you had a farm
near Enwood."

"So I have. But during the winter I make a little extra money trucking.
That's what I am doing now. I am feeling pretty good again."

"Where are you bound?" questioned Randy.

At this question Herman Crouse seemed somewhat disturbed.

"Oh, I've got to go up the road quite a distance," he answered
evasively. "I might offer to give you a ride, only you can see I am
loaded down as it is." And this statement was correct, for the boxsled
was carrying about all the team could haul.

"We met some other Germans around here--four men who drive around in a
big sleigh," said Jack boldly and lo