e to our
bunks? Frank, what shall we do?"

Of course they looked to Frank to decide; but as he was used to doing
more than his share of the planning for the crowd, he thought nothing
of this request.

"First of all, let's put the litter down gently," he proposed.

"That's right, boys," said the wounded man, "don't ye bother any 'bout
me, but look after yer own 'fairs first. I'll get on all right, with
Sandy hyar to stand by and keer for me."

They were very careful as they put the stretcher down, for only too
well did they know how the wretched occupant suffered from any jolt.
This having been accomplished successfully, the four chums were ready
to take the next step.

"Now we'll go on and see what it all means," said Frank.

He managed to control his voice so that none of the others could
discern any undue emotion; yet truth to tell Frank was more worried
than he would have cared to admit.

What Will had voiced was in fact the very fear that had flashed upon
him. They had left word at home for a messenger to be sent up after
them should sickness or accident overtake any of those left behind.
And it seemed at least reasonable to believe that something of the
kind had happened.

As the boys advanced eagerly though noiselessly they were keyed up to
the top notch of excitement.

When he dropped his end of the stretcher Bluff discovered a stout club
lying on the ground. It answered his present needs admirably, and
accordingly the boy snatched it up with a sense of exhilaration. To
himself Bluff was muttering:

"Tramps, hey? Measley hoboes roosting in our nice shack, are they?
Well now, let me just get a whack at the same with this bully home-run
bat, and if I don't make 'em sick of their job you can take my head
for a football. Tramps, hey? Wow! Count me in the deal, will you? I
just eat tramps!"

Frank led the way from long habit. It was perhaps the same training
that kept Bluff and Jerry just at the heels of the pilot, although
they were in a fever to make faster time.

So far as they could see there was no sign of life about the old
cabin, only the light shining through that gap in the wooden window
shutter. If a party of vagrants had indeed taken possession of the
place they were wonderfully quiet. Not a sound smote the stillness of
the night.

Presently, however, from some tree not far away a whippoorwill
suddenly sent out his vociferous notes, complaining again and again
of the severe punishment "po