andy," corrected the leader of the Beaver
Patrol; "this was only a little cooking blaze, not a camp fire."

"But what's the difference?" demanded the new recruit; "I thought a fire
must be a fire."

"Well," said Matty, "when hunters are in a hostile country and want to
prepare a meal they dig a hole and make a small blaze in it that will be
hot enough for their purpose, but which might not be seen fifty feet
away."

"And a camp fire?" continued the novice.

"Quite a different matter. That is generally a rousing blaze made for
comfort, and at a time when no danger is feared. This was only a cooking
fire," Matty went on to explain, as he again thrust the "message" into
the jaws of the cloven stick.

"Do you know how long ago this fire was made?" asked George.

"The ashes are cold now, but they must have been warm when Elmer was
here. He says so--anyhow, that's the way I read it. Here are four hands
held up. Counting fingers and thumbs he wants us to know he has gained
on the enemy, and was only twenty minutes behind when they separated at
this fire."

"Well, that takes the cake!" ejaculated Landy, whose whole appearance
indicated amazement.

"I wonder if it's going to turn out so?" remarked George, who was always
unbelieving, and hence sometimes called by his friends "Doubting
George."

"Well, we'll prove it later," said Matty, "because I am putting all
these things down in my record. When we come together Elmer will tell us
what he meant, and read our answers out loud. Then well see how that
second squad come out. But let's be on the move again, fellows. Plenty
to do before we overhaul our pathfinder, and find out if he secured the
wampum belt. Come along, everybody!"

CHAPTER II.

AT THE HAUNTED MILL.

Once more the little squad of scouts resumed their forward movement.

Matty remained at their head, as before. This game was growing more
delightful to him every minute, and some of the others were feeling the
same way.

Of course it was easy work for those who came after, and the second
bunch, headed by Mark Cummings, would have, as Red expressed it, a
"snap."

The real work of following the trail was falling upon Elmer and his
companion, the tall, angular fellow known among his mates as Lil Artha.

In carrying out the purpose of the game they were to do all the reading
of the signs, and leave a plain track for those who came after. But the
two detachments of scouts were expected to pick up