of the lake," said Jerry.

"You mean the one the charcoal burners used to live in long ago?"

"Yes. And as Bluff has been around this section more than once, he must
have known how to get there. Five to one he burst right into the camp and
demanded his gun."

"Do you think so?" said Jerry, uneasily.

"That is his way. And you can just guess that he got into hot water
before half a minute had gone," returned Frank.

"Would they hurt Bluff?" asked Will, beginning to show unexpected
feeling.

"Well, they might, especially if he accused them of stealing his gun.
Besides, if he happened to see it there I wouldn't put it past Bluff to
tackle the whole bunch in the effort to get his property," Frank went on.

Jerry had thrown his gun down as if ready to drop over himself. He now
stooped and picked it up again.

"Come on, fellows; there's only one thing for us to do," he said.

"And that's to hike over to that shanty and find out if they've got our
chum there a prisoner," finished Frank.

Will made no move to leave his beloved camera behind.

"Hide it somewhere," suggested Frank; "for it will be too dark by the
time we get across to their camp to take a picture decently."

"I guess not," observed the other, calmly; "you see I'm prepared to snap
off a flashlight picture at any old time. Here's after you, Frank."

Uncle Toby had witnessed this threatened exodus with signs of alarm.

"Whar ye gwine, Marse Frank? Ain't 'spectin' to leab dis chile erlone
hyah be yuh? I doan't like dem owls a-whoopin' dar in de big timber: an'
I sure reckons dar might be bars an' wildcats a-snoopin' round dis yer
camp ter-night."

"We expect to be back before a great while, Uncle Toby. Just be getting
supper ready for us in an hour or so. And have a good fire. Wild beasts
will never trouble any one when backed by a blaze, remember. So-long!"

When they looked back, they could see the ancient darkey gazing with
longing glances, as if he might be tempted to chase after them.

"Do you think Bluff can be in trouble?" asked Jerry, showing real
solicitude in his voice and manner.

"I'm a little afraid of it. And I want to say right here that both of you
have shown the right spirit in agreeing to come with me so quickly. It
does you credit, boys," remarked Frank.

Will seemed to puff up a bit under the compliment, but Jerry sneered.

"Oh! I don't consider that anything at all. Bluff is a good fellow in
spite of his butcher instincts,