thing else I want to tell you.
I can't say much, but there is a pernicious lot of activity lately among
a certain class of fellows who find a lot of business over the border
every now and then. Now mind ye, I ain't saying anything, but I've seen
and heard a couple of things since last night. Also, the 'lane' that is
used by these fellows isn't a million miles from here, and a nod is as
good as a wink to a blind mare. Remember I ain't said nothing at all."

Leaving the boys to ponder over his remarks, the gum hunter threw his
bag across his shoulder and departed on his quest of spruce gum.

"Now I wonder why he is so secretive about this business. Evidently he
knows all about it, so why shouldn't he come right out and tell what he
knows. It's a puzzle," said Garry reflectively.

"Don't you suppose he is that way because he lives here and knows all
these people and does not want to become involved in any way, fearing
that they might seek revenge on him for giving away their secrets?
Perhaps he even has some misguided relative or friend who is mixed up in
the mess some way," suggested Phil.

"I believe that is the only solution, Phil. At any rate, it behooves us
to be on the move and see what we can find out. He said something about
the smugglers' 'lane' being around here. I suppose that he means the
trail over which the stuff is brought. I suggest that the business of
the morning be to locate it if possible. Let's head toward the boundary
stone, and strike up along what is approximately the border from there
and see if we can discover anything in the way of a trail. First,
however, I suggest that we take all our food supplies and cache them
safely in a tree somewhere in this vicinity. Not so much for fear that
they will be stolen, but because I don't want the fact advertised of our
being here in case someone should come along in our absence. If we are
here, then all right, if we are not, these lean-tos look to be only
temporary, and no one would give them a second thought. I've also
thought it would be a good plan to search out one or two other likely
camp-sites and establish camps there. Then we can go from one to another
and not advertise our presence so blatantly. So on our march today, keep
an eye for a good spring. Now let's go and cache the stuff."

First Garry measured out a two-day ration of food, dividing it among the
three. The rest was then packed in a cloth flour bag that Garry had
procured at the general