r
a man of his habits never has anything of his own. All that he has he
steals from some one else."

"Then ought we not to try to find owners for the food we've brought in
from the shack?" queried Dave.

"Yes; if we can," agreed Dick. "But I doubt if the former rightful
owners of this food stuff would know their own goods. It's just such
stuff as one might find in anyone of a thousand grocery stores. We
couldn't identify any of these cans, ourselves, if we found it in any
one else's house. You see, these labels are all of common brands of
tinned foods. On the whole, fellows, I believe we have a clear right to
eat this food if we happen to need it while we're in the woods. It isn't
like stuff that a former owner could remember and identify."

The more they talked it over, the clearer this view became to the
Grammar School boys.

"We've time for a couple of hours of hunting, now, if any of you care to
go," Dick suggested. "We'll have daylight that long. But it won't do,
with any chance of Mr. Fits being about, for all of us to go at once. We
must leave at least two of the fellows, and they must close the shutters
and keep the bar on the door. The two fellows who stay behind can also
begin to get things ready against the supper hour. I'll be one of the
two to stay. Who'll be the other."

"No, you won't, Dick Prescott," retorted Greg. "You've been taking first
tricks at all the hard work. You've worked like a horse in this camp.
To-day you'll take the first trick at having some of the fun. I'll be
one of the two to stay in camp."

Dan also volunteered. Thereupon the other four, Harry carrying the air
rifle, started off into the woods, jogging along over the solid crust.
Though the air was keenly cold, to the boys it was all delightful. They
were warmly clad, even their feet being protected by heavy overshoes.
With caps drawn down over their ears, and warm mittens on their hands,
why should they mind if the mercury stood somewhat below zero?

Three of them were out on a trip of exploration. Hazelton, however, was
the young Nimrod. He wanted to bag a rabbit! Yet, seeing no game, Harry
finally persuaded Tom Reade to carry the rifle.

Then at last, all unexpectedly, Hazelton caught sight of a rabbit. The
little animal had hopped briskly over the snow, coming within sight of
the Grammar School boys. Ears pointing straight up, the rabbit sat on
its haunches, curiously gazing at these humans.

"Tom! Psst! ps-st! Halt!"