a sufficient time
to cover the remaining distance.

"Never mind about that, fellows," Frank observed, after laughing
heartily at the quaint remark; "what we want to do just now is to make
Moogs here as comfortable as we can, and then try to get some rest.
All of us are tired, and we've still a mile and a half to cover."

"And I want to serve warning right now," Jerry announced, "that the
first thing we do when we strike camp is to get the fire going, and a
big pot of coffee boiling. I'm as hungry as a wolf."

Frank found that the injured man was standing the trip as well as
could be expected. He suffered great pain, though at times a sort of
numbness came over his limb, as often happens.

Bluff and Jerry had found some dead leaves behind a log, and here they
decided to settle down. Frank and Will had already seen to it that
their patient was placed upon a bed of leaves, and had made things as
comfortable as possible for the poor fellow.

He seemed to be very grateful, and constantly assured them that their
kindness would never be forgotten, and that he would only too gladly
repay them if ever it lay in his power.

The small boy, Sandy Moogs, crouched alongside his father and seemed
happy just to know that everything was moving along in a satisfactory
way.

Frank was more concerned about the weather than anything else. There
were signs of a brooding storm. The low-hanging clouds they had
noticed in the afternoon close to the western horizon might push up
and cover the heavens.

That would be a serious thing for them, under the present conditions.
To be caught afoot in the woods far from camp by one of those
drenching rains was bad enough; but it meant a terrible risk to poor
Moogs should he be soaked through while suffering from such a wound.

Still the time passed and there was no particular change in
conditions. So long as he could see the stars Frank needed no watch to
know the hour. He knew when the moon would appear in the east, as
well as which of the bright planets would set by that time. All he had
to do when desirous of knowing how time was passing was to observe the
stars.

Jerry and Bluff could be heard talking from time to time. As for Will,
who was close to Frank, seeing the other lift his head for a look at
the sky above, he asked for information.

"What time do you think it is, Frank?" was what Will said.

"Close to eleven," was the immediate reply.

"Did you guess that, or are you reading