ip's pipe being of course the main idea, since he seemed to
lack nothing else.

On Tolly Tip's part, he forced each of the lads to pack away a
particular pelt which they were to have made into some sort of small
article, just to remember the glorious outing in the snowy woods by.

At last the time came to say good-bye to the camp, and it was with
unanimous agreement that the scouts clustered in a bunch, swung their
hats, and gave three parting cheers for the lodge in the wilderness.

Tolly Tip had laid out their course, and on the way the main body
halted while he and Paul tramped over to the foot of the hill where
the cave among the rocks lay.

Paul was pleased to find the cave empty and the ashes cold where the
fire had burned, thus proving that Hank and his three companions had
started overland for home on the previous day.

Once more joining the others, they continued on their way.

"Next in line come our friends, the hobo yeggmen!" remarked Jud, with
a grim closing of his lips.

"Listen," said Paul, impressively, "for the last time I want to
caution you all to follow the directions I've given. We must try to
creep up on that old shack, and find out what the tramps are doing
before we show our hand."

"Well, what have scouts been learning woodcraft for if they can't do a
bit of spy work?" asked Jud, boldly. "All you have to do, Paul, is to
pick those you want to keep you company when you make the grand creep;
while the rest hang out close by, ready to jump in at the signal and
make it unanimous."

It might have been noticed, were one watching closely, that Jud said
this with a complacent smile hovering about his lips. The reason was
easily guessed, because Jud really had no peer among the members of
Stanhope Troop of Boy Scouts when it came to creeping up on game or
some pretended enemy.

He had often proved his superiority in this respect, and could
therefore take it for granted that the scout-master would pick him
out to accompany him on an occasion like this.

"All right, Jud," said Paul, smilingly, for he understood very well
how the other felt, "I'll take Jack with me, Bobolink, and Tom Betts
as well--yes, and you may come along too, I guess."

Some of them snickered at this, while Jud glared haughtily around and
shrugged his shoulders, looking aggrieved, until Paul took occasion to
whisper in his ear:

"That was meant for a joke you understand, Jud. Of course, I couldn't
think of doing this th