idea that we're on their trail there'll be a mighty good chance of our
getting our throats cut."

"I'll be still as a fish; but I do wish I knew more about 'em."

"If they are arrested you can find out the whole story."

This promise seemed to satisfy Jim, and he rowed on in silence,
probably fancying he was doing some skillful piece of detective work,
which might be spoiled by so much as the splashing of the oars.

An hour later the men were taking matters so leisurely that it was
necessary the boys should make a pretense of landing in order to remain
behind, otherwise their evident loitering would have caused suspicion.

Jet explained this to his companion, and the latter proposed that they
utilize the time by cooking dinner.

The boat was run ashore, and Jim soon proved that he was a valuable
assistant in the woods by preparing a hot lunch, which to Jet was
decidedly palatable.

By the time the meal was ended the men were a couple of miles in
advance, and the boys resumed the chase, with Jim still at the oars.

"I'll bet you they are bound for the falls," the guide said, shortly
after the second start. "If that's so we'll have to make a carry, an'
that can't be done between now and sunset."

"What's a carry?"

"A place where you have to lug your boat for a while, an' it's no fun
I'll tell you."

"If they do it, I reckon we can."

"Of course, only it's a lot of work."

"We must expect plenty of that before the money is earned."

That Jim was correct in his surmise was shown later when Bob and Sam
turned their craft into the stream which led to Round Lake, and then
landed, evidently for the night.

"How near shall we go to them?" Jim asked.

"It won't do to stay too far away, for we must make it appear as if we
intended to run down the same stream. We'll hold up here."

Jet steered the craft into an indentation on the shore about a quarter
of a mile from where the others had stopped, and at a spot from which
he could keep them in view.

"I'll rig up a camp, and you keep your eyes on them while you're
getting some of the grub out," the small guide proposed.

The boys made preparations for the night, and while so occupied could
see that the men were doing the same.

Then fires were lighted in both camps, and Jet watched the one down
stream until his eyes closed in slumber, despite all his efforts to
keep them open.

The gray light of dawn could be but faintly seen in the eastern sky
when the