lesh? There's a mystery here somewhere."

"There always is a mystery when the Beaver Patrol goes out on a hike,"
declared Tom. Look at the dense, dark mystery that surrounded us while
we were in the Copper Country. Look at the mystery about our visit to
Niagara Falls. We simply blunder into mystery every time we stir a foot!
Mystery is our regular schedule!"

"Yes," agreed Jack, "but we always solve the mystery. This is going to
be no exception to the rule! We must solve it!"

"Maybe Doright can explain something about this thing," suggested Frank.
"Doright!" he called. "Can you tell me what makes such a smell of
burning meat around here? What is it?"

"'Deed, Boss, Ah cain't tell youall what it is. Ah don' know!"

"Not much use quizzing him!" declared Jack. "We can't search the ruins
now. The embers are too hot. If the boys were in there when it fell, we
can investigate and find their remains tomorrow. For the present, I move
that we go back to the Fortuna!"

"Second the motion!" agreed Frank. "What do you say, Tom?"

"Might as well, I guess," Tom stated. "It's no use sticking around here!
We can't do anything until daylight, and the embers of the fire cool
off. I move we get Doright here to show us the way back to the boats,
and then we'll row back to town."

"Agreed!" cried Jack at once. "Doright, do you remember the big oak that
leans out over the water maybe two miles from here?"

"'Deed Ah does, Boss!" declared the darky. "Mighty good fishin' right by
dat oak! Sure knows dat place mighty well!"

"Well, if you'll take us there and then row us down to the town where
our vessel is lying, we'll pay you well for the trouble and give you a
good supper and breakfast. Will you do it?"

"Sure Ah will," replied Doright. "Ah'd be right smart proud to he'p
youall. Is you ready to go right now?" he added.

Having satisfied themselves that there was nothing to be gained by
lingering near the spot, the boys decided to start for the Fortuna at
once.

They all hesitated a moment when leaving the clearing, looking back with
lingering gaze at the spot where the cabin had stood. A lump was in each
throat as they trudged wearily along in the wake of Doright the giant
negro as he led them through the forest.

At length he came out into the clearing near the big oak the boys had
described. They pressed eagerly forward as the river was neared. In
their desire to return to the Fortuna they were but expressing the
desire o