read.

"One thing is in our favor, anyhow," said Fred, with a sigh of
satisfaction, after they had finished their scant meal. "We won't have
to wash the dishes."

The can was dried over the fire, the cocoa was replaced, and then the
lads proceeded to make themselves comfortable for the night. They missed
their blankets, and it was therefore decided that they should take turns
in sitting up and guarding the fire, so that all might keep warm without
running the danger of setting fire to the cedars under which they were
resting.

It proved to be a long and wearisome night for most of them. The resting
places were anything but soft, and a fitful wind often blew the smoke of
the campfire toward the would-be sleepers, causing them to cough and
shift their positions. But neither man nor beast came to disturb them,
for which they were thankful.

"Going to bother about breakfast?" questioned Jack, as he sat up and saw
that Gif and Spouter were already stirring.

"I don't think so," was the answer. "If you fellows are willing, we'll
strike right out for the Lodge. We can get a better meal there."

The others agreed, and almost before daylight they were on their way
again. They climbed to the top of the cliff, and, after moving around
cautiously for several hundred feet, reached a well defined trail
running in the direction Gif thought they ought to take.

The storm had cleared away, and soon the sun came peeping over the
treetops.

"Gee! I won't do a thing to a good hot breakfast when we reach the
Lodge," remarked Randy to his twin.

"I'll be with you," returned Andy. "A big heaping plate of pancakes with
maple syrup for me, flanked by a couple of good-sized sausage cakes and
washed down with a big cup of that cocoa!"

"Say, Andy, you make me hungry clean down to my shoes!" burst out Fred.

"I think we'll all be able to eat a good breakfast by the time we get
there," announced Gif.

"Are you sure you are on the right trail, Gif?" questioned Spouter
anxiously.

"Yes, I know where I am now. It's queer how I got mixed up before."

"How much further?" questioned Jack.

"About half a mile."

They crossed another small clearing, and on the edge of this caught
sight of several more rabbits. Jack and Randy fired simultaneously and
were lucky to bring down two of the bunnies.

"They will help out the larder just so much more," announced Gif, after
they had tried for several minutes to stir up more of the rabbits, but