let Will have your gun while you're away."

Jerry handed it over a little regretfully; indeed, he had calculated on
carrying the weapon himself, though it must have been in the way.

They saw him creep off.

For quite some little time they watched, ready to rush forward if any
sound announced that Jerry had been discovered, and was in trouble.

"They're getting supper. Don't look like our outfit, does it?" whispered
Will, as he and Frank crouched there in the brush, waiting and watching.

"I should say not; still, the appetite is the main thing in the woods. A
hungry man can forgive anything. Look behind the shack--isn't that
something moving?"

What Frank had said was true, for just then Jerry crept across an open
space, and for a few seconds they saw him plainly.

Then he daringly slipped in through the open door of the cabin,
doubtless taking advantage of the attention of the campers being turned
elsewhere.

"Come on, move up a little. I'm too nervous now to stay quiet,"
said Frank.

While they were thus advancing there suddenly arose a tremendous clamor.
It appeared to issue from the interior of the dilapidated cabin in which
Andy's crowd had taken up their quarters.

"Oh! what has happened now?" exclaimed Will, scrambling to his feet.

"Look!" cried Frank.

Something came flying out of the door of the shack, and landing in a heap
rolled over and over, clawing at every object within reach.

Then it sat up and looked around in a frightened way.

"Why, it's Ben Cooper!" said Will, partly relieved.

"And he's met up with Jerry!" added Frank, grimly, as he watched eagerly
to see what else took place in the little opening where the camp had
been pitched.

The boys were all on their feet. They seemed to be staring at their
half-dazed comrade as though hardly able to grasp the real meaning of the
conditions.

Then Andy gave a shout.

"Hey, you fellers, look at that door go shut! The prisoner must have got
loose! How about it, Ben Cooper? What happened to you?"

"They's another feller in there 'sides the prisoner. He knocked me
clean silly, and threw me out o' the door," whined the other, rubbing
his head dismally.

"Who was it--any of that crowd from over by the hemlocks?" demanded Andy,
much excited, and apparently ready to tear up things generally.

"I reckon 'twar that Jerry Wallington--wait till I gets him some day,
that's all."

"Hey, fellers, d'ye hear that? Another of that lot bagged in t