as no
help for it, and the situation had to be faced pluckily.

But all the best intentions seemed to go wrong that day, and it did not
take an hour's marching before Bob stopped and turned to his chum with a
crestfallen countenance.

"Look here, old man, I don't know what you're thinking, but my own
opinion is----"

"That we've missed the path; that we are lost----"

"I'm afraid that is the truth of it. You see, we've never come to any of
the places that we had to clear with the tomahawk."

"Then what's to be done?" Alf questioned.

Arnold took out his watch and looked at it.

"What's to be done? Grub. That's the first thing. After that we can make
fresh plans. It's noon now, and we can do nothing while we're hungry.
Besides--well, to tell the truth, I'm feeling a little tired."

"I, too," responded Alf, with a faint smile. "I didn't want to say so
while I thought you wished to go on----"

"Just my own idea," Bob returned, with a slight laugh, as he lowered
himself to a soft place under the shadow of a large maple. "So we'll
rest here and have a bite. We'll feel better afterwards."

The little camp was made, and a meal was enjoyed from the contents of
Bob's haversack--biscuits and cold venison. Neither of the lads thought
it was worth while to trouble about shooting and cooking a meal just
then. They would reserve that till night, in the event of their not
being able to find Crane Creek again.

After a considerable rest, the march was resumed for the third time. On
this occasion, however, the process was varied. Their first purpose was,
of course, to find the path by which they had come; so at Bob's
suggestion they carefully proceeded to walk in a circle--checking the
route by notching the trees, and taking wider courses each time a
circuit was completed.

But even these means were ineffective. Circle after circle was made, and
still the earlier track was undiscovered. All the afternoon was thus
occupied, and, when evening came, the boys were footsore and weary--glad
to throw themselves down on the first piece of springy grass, too tired
even to trouble about preparing food.

The disappointment was beyond words. They had started out in the morning
full of cheerful hopes of being able to render aid to their parents who
(they felt sure) were in need of assistance. And now, not only was this
purpose frustrated, but they themselves were in that terrible plight of
being lost in the backwoods--a hundred miles