think you can," agreed Doctor Joe, "but your legs are short. If you
get tired don't keep going. Perhaps you had better take the outside
place, and if you do get tired and fall out it won't break the line."

Full of eagerness and excitement, the boys took their positions. On
the left bank of the brook was David, next him to the left Obadiah
Button, then Andy, beyond him Seth Muggs, and finally Jamie. This
placed Jamie on the extreme left flank, in accordance with Doctor
Joe's suggestion, and the farthest from David and the brook.

On the right bank of the brook were Peter Sparks, Doctor Joe, Lige
Sparks and Micah Dunk in the order named, with Micah on the extreme
right flank.

It was a great and thrilling adventure for all the boys, but
particularly for Jamie. There was a mystery to be solved, and in the
attempt to solve it there was not merely curiosity but a worthy object
in view. If the cache proved to contain Lem Horn's silver fox skin Lem
and his whole family would be made happy.

Jamie, in his unwavering loyalty, was anxious to lift from Indian Jake
all suspicion of the crime. At present every one in the Bay, save only
the Angus boys, believed Indian Jake guilty of it. Even Doctor Joe was
not satisfied of his innocence, and, indeed, everything pointed to
Indian Jake's guilt. Doctor Joe believed that the Angus boys were
prejudiced in their loyalty to Indian Jake because of the fact that he
had done them kindnesses.

Jamie was sure that if they found this cache there would be proof that
he and David and Andy were right and everybody else wrong. Not only
did this feature of the adventure appeal to him, but also the fact
that he was for the first time in his life trailing in the wilderness
and taking part in an undertaking that seemed to him one of vast
importance.

Jamie had never slept in a tent. His only acquaintance with the great
wilderness had been confined to the woods surrounding The Jug, and
always when in company with David or Andy or his father or Doctor Joe.
Now he was determined to do as well as any of them, and, no matter how
tired he became, to stick to the trail until Doctor Joe gave the
signal to return to camp.

As they ascended the slope Jamie kept a sharp look-out to right and
left. Now and again Seth Muggs on his right was hidden by a clump of
thick spruce trees or would disappear behind a wooded rise, presently
to appear again through the trees.

Jamie was happy. He was keeping pace wit