ll just then.

It took but a short time for them to carry the heavy planks back to the
place, and cover up the hole the crazy gold-hunter had dug so many;
years ago.

"Hope those sillies won't think to steal them off again. They might trap
one of that lumberman's kids, and then the penitentiary for theirs, for
sure," said Jerry, as he made sure the cover was secure on all sides.

"I rather think they've had a lesson this time, and won't be in any hurry
to repeat the dose," laughed Frank; "come along boys."

Somehow Jerry seemed to lag behind the others.

"What's the matter with him?" asked Will, turning his thumb backward over
his shoulder.

"Perhaps conscience is at work. Jerry has queer freaks, you know. Wait
and see what develops," answered Frank, mysteriously, and, although his
companion tried to get him to say more he absolutely declined.

It was a short time after this that they heard the boom of a gun.

"Hunters abroad, somewhere around. There goes a second, yes and a third.
Game must be plenty where they are," remarked Will.

Frank did not reply, but the other saw that he was smiling as if his
thoughts might be pleasant just then.

"I just bet he's thinking of my sister Violet," was what passed through
the mind of the boy; but for once he was wrong.

They finally arrived at a point not a quarter of a mile from camp.
Frank turned to see if Jerry was coming along, for he had not heard a
sound from him.

"How about that venison you insisted on carrying? I hope you didn't leave
it in that miserable pit, now, for I was calculating on having a feast
for supper?" he asked, seeing that Jerry still plodded along close by.

"I've got it on my back all right, so don't worry, boys. And honest, now,
come to think of it, I really believe the bundle saved me from a worse
shock than I got. I landed on it, if you please. Don't know how it beat
me down, but it served as a fine old buffer. I look on that blessed deer
as my best friend."

"Listen!" exclaimed Will just then.

All of them could hear what seemed to be shouts ahead. They certainly
came from the direction of the home camp.

"Now what do you suppose has happened there this time? Can't we ever take
a little saunter through the woods without the camp being made the
theater for all sorts of strange dramas--wildcats, lunatics, and now
what?" exclaimed Jerry.

"I think it would be just as well for us to sprint along and find out.
That Toby seems fated to