is heels, and galloped, perhaps for the first time
in years."

All of them laughed as they went on, talking by the way. Boys can
discover a ludicrous side to almost anything. Good health, absence of
worry, and plenty of food are about all they require; and the world
looks its brightest.

Sometimes, when Thad glanced toward the Southern boy, he wondered
whether Bob had taken them wholly into his confidence on the last
evening when he told them about his life amid the mountains and valleys
of the Blue Ridge Range. It struck him that Bob frowned too often to
indicate a clear conscience.

"There's something else on his mind, and that's certain," Thad was
saying to himself. "He keeps looking in my direction every little while,
and I wouldn't be surprised if he came over pretty soon to tell me
something he's been keeping back. But it don't matter; we'll stand
behind Bob all the time. He's a fine fellow, as true as gold; and one
scout should always help another in trouble."

His reflections were interrupted by Bumpus, who edged over nearer the
patrol leader to impart the information that, happening to look back, he
had discovered some one thrusting his head out from behind a rock, as
though he might be following in their wake!

CHAPTER VII.

THE MESSAGE OF THE SPLIT STICK.

A TEMPORARY halt had been called, and the scouts were consulting as to
what this new development might mean.

"Sure you saw a man, are you, Bumpus?" asked Giraffe, as though he had
an idea the stout boy might have deceived himself. "Twa'n't a rolling
stone, now, I take it? Or it couldn't have been a frisky little 'coon'
or 'possum,' I suppose?"

"Well, what d'ye think I've got eyes for, if I don't know a biped when I
see one?" retorted Bumpus, indignantly. "He was as plain as anything;
and makin' from one pile of rocks to another. You go with me back there,
and I'll show you, Giraffe. Then you'll believe me when I say a thing."

The two boys made a move as if to carry out this project, only the
scoutmaster put a stop to it.

"Don't think of doing that, fellows," Thad said, quickly. "These
mountaineers are a thin-skinned lot as far as I've been able to learn;
and they won't stand for any poking of your nose into their business.
Besides, if it was a man, the chances are he would be armed, and you
might bring a hornet's nest down about our ears."

"Oh! he did have a gun, all right," remarked Bumpus, carelessly.

"You didn't mention tha