hing."

"I shouldn't wonder," remarked Rob dryly. "It would be quite in their
line."

"By the way," exclaimed the old man suddenly, "a queer thing happened
the other day. Skipper had been a-skirmishin' round the other side uv
the island after rabbits and critters, and he brought home this-- Wait
a minute and I'll show it to yer."

After some fumbling in his pocket, the old man produced a torn strip of
yellow material with a brass button attached to it.

"I wonder where that come from," he remarked, as he handed the fragment
to Rob for his inspection.

"Why, it's khaki," exclaimed Rob, as he felt it. "And, by hokey!" he
ejaculated the next instant, "it's a piece of a Boy Scout uniform!"

Old Skipper was jumping about in great excitement, and endeavoring to
sniff the bit of torn material as Rob examined it, and a sudden idea
struck the boy.

"I wonder if Skipper could pilot us to where he found this bit of
material."

"Are you sure it's a bit of uniform?" asked Tubby doubtfully.

"Certain of it. No one else wears khaki in these parts. Hey, Skipper,
hey, good dog! Sic 'em, sic 'em!" cried Rob, holding up the khaki for
the intelligent creature to see.

The animal seemed to be greatly excited and gave short, quick barks as
he danced about the boys.

"Well, we might try and see if he will lead us anywhere." remarked
Merritt somewhat dubiously. "At any rate, there's no harm done, except
wasting a little time; and if we can get on the track of our uniforms,
it's not such a much of a waste, after all."

"He sure wants ter be off somewhere," observed the old captain,
watching the antics of his dog, whom he regarded in the light of a
human being. "He never acts nor talks that way unless he's got suthin'
on his mind. Yer boys follow him, and I'll bet he'll lead yer ter
suthin'. It may be nothin' more than a dead rabbit, and it may be what
ye think. I'll stay here an' dig my pertaters, fer my rheumatiz is
powerful bad today."

"Very well, captain. We shan't be long," rejoined Rob, calling to the
dog. "Hey, Skipper, hey, old boy! After 'em, Skipper--after 'em!"

The dog bounded on ahead of the three boys, occasionally looking back
to see if they were following and then plunging on again.

"As the Captain said, he 'sure has got suthin' on his mind'!" laughed
Merritt.

After traversing about a mile of beach, the dog suddenly bounded into a
thicket overhanging the shore and began barking furiously.