k that has?"

The three scouts exchanged glances, and nodded their heads. Like all
boys they loved a touch of excitement, and the fact that there was a
mystery hanging about Rattlesnake Mountain just pleased them.

"Now, what d'ye think these prowlers might be?" asked Nuthin, in awed
tones.

"Huh! Why d'ye suppose men'd hang out in such a place as this, and shun
their fellows, if they ain't been doin' something against the law?"
demanded William, with lofty scorn.

"My! then you mean they're escaped convicts, or something like that?"
gasped the deeply absorbed Nuthin, his eyes round with wonder, and
perhaps a touch of fear.

"I wouldn't be surprised," replied William, indifferently, as became a
valiant scout; "and it's my opinion that the feller who passed us in
that rig when we were resting on the road that day, looked like _he_ was
a bad egg. If ever I saw what my dad calls a hang-dog look on a man's
face, he was all to the good. I hope I don't meet the same when I'm
doing my lone stunt through the woods, that's all."

Joe Clausin had been hovering near while they talked in this way. At
first he had shown just the natural curiosity a boy might under the
circumstances; but as William began to declare his belief in the
rascality of the lone traveler, his face turned rosy red, and then pale.
He walked quickly away, perhaps afraid that one of his companions might
notice his confusion.

A guard was set that night as usual, and their supply of food was placed
in such a position that none of it might be stolen by any clever method
of using a fishhook and line.

Again morning came without any alarm. The scouts by this time had begun
to hope that their troubles were over. During the day they penetrated
further into the wilderness of rocks and trees that surrounded them, and
Mr. Gordon was kept busy explaining the innumerable matters that caught
the attention of the eager lads in every quarter.

The weather had grown much warmer. Indeed, several of the boys
complained of the heat; and as clouds covered the heavens at nightfall,
the scoutmaster warned them to be prepared for a storm before morning.

Once more tent pins were examined, and everything made as secure as
possible. At the same time Paul surveyed the black sky with secret
misgivings, wondering what they would have to do should a tornado sweep
down upon them there on the side of the mountains, and demolish their
tents.

The scouts turned in earlier than us