d Jack, doubtfully.

"Two, anyhow; I'm sure of that," came the hesitating reply.

"Yes, at least two, Paul," the other echoed.

"And we are three. That's one reason why I don't see any reason for
getting nervous over the discovery," observed the leader, his voice now
apparently showing a trace of humor that was bubbling up near the
surface.

"But where there are two there may be more, Paul?" objected Jack.

"Yes, possibly eight or ten more," went on the calm leader.

"Goodness! and you say there is no need of our worrying?" exclaimed
Wallace.

"Yes, explain what you mean, old fellow. Eight or ten would give us a
warm time don't you think?" demanded Wallace, gripping Paul's arm
fiercely.

"Hardly, if they were all sound asleep around a dying campfire, dead to
the world," quoth Paul, chuckling now.

But the others uttered low but vehement exclamations.

"Don't you see what he means, Wallace?" asked Jack.

"Sure. What a couple of fools you and I were," came the scathing reply.

"We've been followed by two of our own boys. They must have watched us
crawl out of camp, and not wanting us to have all the fun, here they come
creeping after us. What shall we do, Paul?" Jack queried in the other's
ear; for the flitting figures were now very near.

"Open our arms and welcome the recruits. If they're just bound to join
forces with us, why should we make any kick. I'm glad of it."

Then raising his voice a little, Paul continued:

"Hey! there!"

They could hear the murmur of voices. Evidently the two shadows were
talking it over, and must have arrived at some quick conclusion, for
presently same a hail.

"Hello! Paul, Jack!"

"It's Bobolink, for one," muttered Jack, immediately.

"Then it's a sure thing William is tagging along," said Wallace.

"Come on, both of you fellows. No danger!" called Paul, softly.

After that assurance the shadows boldly advanced, and quickly joined the
three who stood under the spreading oak.

It proved just as Jack and Wallace had predicted, for the newcomers
turned out to be William and Bobolink. They were chuckling, as though
considering it a good joke.

"Thought you'd give us the quiet sneak, and gobble all the glory
yourselves, hey?" said the latter, as they bustled up; "but William and
myself had it all fixed. We were on to your curves, all right."

"Yes," broke in William, just there; "didn't we see you with your heads
together a lot, and wasn't we wise to what was in