ce of spruce partridges.

Toward evening the wind shifted to the east, and it grew even colder.
The boys put an extra layer of boughs on the cabin floor, and got all
their blankets out. The only comfortable part was around the fire.

Just before supper a bird flew out of the forest and over the camp. It
alighted in some bushes near the verge of the jutting headland. Jerry
snatched his gun, and hurried after it across the ice.

When he reached the spot he saw something that drove the bird entirely
from his mind. Nearly a mile down the lake two black specks were
visible. They were moving slowly toward the western shore.

Jerry summoned his companions by a cautious shout.

"Bring your field-glasses, Brick," he added.

When the boys arrived, Jerry pointed out the far-away objects. Brick
had the glasses--a long-range pair purchased at Bangor. Each took a turn
at them.

"Hullo, those things are only men," said Brick, in a tone of relief. "I
was afraid they were wild animals."

"They are odd-looking chaps for this neighborhood," replied Jerry. "They
ain't dressed like trappers or hunters. They have guns, though, and
there's a hand-sled trailing behind them."

"I wish we could make out their faces," said Hamp. "They've come across
the lake, just as we did."

"Perhaps they are following us," suggested Brick, uneasily.

"Hardly," replied Jerry. "Where are they now, Hamp?"

"Just climbing the bank. Now they've disappeared in the woods."

And Hamp lowered the glasses, and restored them to Brick.

After some futile discussion of the mystery, the boys went back to camp.
It was natural that they should feel a little curious and alarmed.
Ruffianly characters are often encountered in the Maine wilderness.

When supper was over the boys cheered up. They washed the dishes, and
then built a roaring fire of great logs directly in front of the cabin.
With blankets wrapped about their shoulders they sat beside the flames.

All at once Hamp sprang in excitement to his feet. He pointed toward the
lower side of the ravine.

"Look!" he cried. "Oh! it's gone now. I saw a face peeping from behind
the trees."

"What did the fellow look like?" demanded Jerry.

"I don't know," was the reply. "He was only there for a couple of
seconds. He had savage, black eyes, and no mustache or beard. The fire
shone right on him."

"Well, we've got to investigate this thing," declared Jerry. "Come on,
fellows."

They delayed enough to get t