ntations because of a shortage in
the supply of pancakes.

There was no hurry to get off. Paul was too wise a commander to spoil
the pleasure of his comrades by unseemly haste, with so much time before
them.

About nine o'clock the command started forth, with Bluff's drum beating
time, and the inspiring notes of the bugle lending vigor to their eager
feet. By noon some of those who had seemed most chipper at the beginning
of the day's tramp were limping more or less, though still full of grit,
and a determination not to lag behind.

The country was getting very wild now. Occasionally they began to have
glimpses of the upper Bushkill, when the forest opened more or less.
Later on the road was likely to skirt the river, they understood, when
conditions would be prime for possibly a swim, or some fishing, which
latter, they imagined must be good so far away from town.

They were still taking it easy after eating a lunch that possibly
cleaned up every scrap of the goodies prepared by fond mothers and
sisters; when Paul, who was sitting talking to Jack, noticed a vehicle
coming swiftly along the road.

Whoever occupied the rig seemed to be in somewhat of a hurry, for he was
every now and then whipping the horse, which showed signs of fatigue, as
though it had come quite some ways.

As the man drove past he raised his head to look with a frown in the
direction of the scout encampment. Paul did not like his appearance at
all. Indeed, he was of the opinion that the man might even have stolen
the rig somewhere; for he acted as though anxious to get away.

But his bewilderment increased when he saw Joe Clausin suddenly jump to
his feet and stare after the departing stranger, his face turning very
white.

"Oh! it's him, it's him!" Paul plainly heard him exclaim.

CHAPTER XVI

AT THE FOOT OF RATTLESNAKE MOUNTAIN

"Who?" demanded William, as he caught the low-spoken words of Joe
Clausin.

"Yes, tell us about him, Joe," went on another of the scouts. "I never
saw the man before, and I shouldn't like to meet him on a dark night
either. Ugh!"

But Joe turned suddenly red, and shook his head, trying to pass the
thing off with a laugh.

"Thought I knew the duck, fellers, but I reckon I must have been
mistaken, 'cause you see, the man I took him for is away off at the
other side of the world right now," he said. But Paul's keen eyes saw
that Joe did not believe any such thing.

"Say, boys, Joe's taken to seein