in the rear as was possible to keep them
within view, and at such a distance that he could no longer overhear the
conversation.

Beyond a doubt Bill was also in pursuit; but he did not show himself,
and Fred fancied he was well over to the left travelling on a parallel
line with the boys.

During an hour these relative positions were maintained, and then Gus
threw down the bag as if to make a halt.

"Now they're going to dig up the money," Fred said to himself, and he
pressed forward that he might see all which occurred.

In this he was mistaken, however. The two had simply stopped to rest,
and such of the conversation as could be overheard only had reference to
the location for a permanent camp, Gus insisting they were far enough
away from the villages, while his companion urged that twice this
distance should be covered.

"It's plain they have no idea of digging," Fred muttered. "It begins to
look as if we had made a big mistake; but if that is so, what was the
meaning of the talk they made last night?"

It was an enigma which he could not solve. Although believing they were
on the wrong track, he did not feel at liberty to abandon the search
until after consulting with Bill, and as yet no signs had been seen of
that gentleman.

The halt was continued for half an hour, and then the two boys pushed on
again, walking at a leisurely pace until the forenoon was well nigh
spent, when they came to a full stop at the bank of a small brook.

They were now, as nearly as Fred could judge, eight or nine miles from
the starting point, and that this was the end of the journey could be
told by the preparations made.

From the bag a new hatchet was produced, and both set about hewing small
trees and bushes with which to build a camp.

Not until this shelter was put up did Fred dare to move near enough to
hear what was said, and then he found a hiding-place in the thicket
twenty paces in the rear of the rude dwelling.

Even though two hours had been spent in this work, Bill did not show
himself. It was possible, however, that he believed it dangerous to move
about in the daytime, but would join his companion after dark.

Such conversation as the boys indulged in had no especial interest to
the listener, since it referred almost entirely to the length of time
they would remain in the camp.

When the day came to an end Fred had not heard anything of importance,
and he resolved to advise an immediate return to Farley's w