n the alert for
subjects suitable for striking pictures with which to embellish his
account of the outing trip.

So the afternoon began to wane almost before they were aware of it.

"Time we were making tracks for home, fellows," announced Frank.

"What will Bluff and Toby think has become of us, I wonder,"' said Will.

"Him? Why, he's forgotten we're in existence. He can never get that jay
gun out of his mind. Talk about your phonograph, he's sure the worst
repeater I ever heard, and that's no fairy story," grunted Jerry.

"Well, come along boys. Jesse, you must run over and have dinner with us
some afternoon. We dine at night, you see. Will you come?" asked Frank,
shaking hands.

"I sartin will, and soon at that. Glad ye thought 'bout the ole lone
trapper, boys. Come agin, soon, an' any time. An', Bill, when ye git them
picters printed remember I'm in one, an' that pelt thief, too."

"I'll see you get copies of both. Good-by!" called out Will.

They trudged back with less ambition to make time than when on the
morning tramp, for all of them were feeling a little stiff. As they came
in sight of the home camp, Jerry broke out with:

"Say, she looks some nice, with the two tents standing there, and old
Toby working around."

"Do you see Bluff?" asked Frank, a trifle uneasily.

"Why, no, but what makes you say that?"

"I've got a suspicion about him, that's all Hello, Toby, everything
all right?"

"Sho, Marse Frank, eberything am lubly an' de goose hangs high."

"How about Bluff--where is he?"

"Don't no nuffin' 'bout dat boy; he went off in de mornin' an' ain't
kim back."

"Just what I feared, fellows," said Frank. "That silly chap has gone
hunting up the camp of the Lasher crowd, and like as not got himself
in trouble."

CHAPTER IX

JERRY TAKES CHANCES

The announcement of Frank stunned both the others for a moment.

"Do you really believe that?" asked Will, uneasily, at length.

"It would be just like Bluff to take chances. He never counts the cost.
Yes, sir, I just wager he started for that camp before we had been gone
half an hour."

"But how would he know where to find those fellows?" asked Will.

"Oh! he knew, all right. We talked it over last night when you were busy
with your camera, after we chased around for the stone-thrower; and
agreed that since Andy and his mates couldn't get this camp-site, the
next best place for them to go would be that little cabin up near the
shore