's
like a boy trying to show his first skill in drawing; but in this case
every little mark has its meaning."

"It's interesting, all right, Allan," observed Davy Jones.

"That's right, it is," echoed Smithy, who had apparently never before
realized what a delightful thing it was to get out in the woods with a
parcel of chums, and discover what strange things can be found there.

"Now, here is what the man in advance is telling the one who comes
after," continued the boy who knew. "He is himself following on the
track of a party of enemies, and has discovered certain facts connected
with their movements, which he wishes to communicate to his comrade
coming after, so as to gave him the trouble of wasting time in
investigating for himself. And here's the way he does it."

He held the birch bark up so all could see. Six pair of eager eyes were
immediately glued upon the marks which he had made on the smooth brown
inside bark, with possibly the point of his knife, just as the real
Indian might.

"First, you see, here are five figures represented," Allan began.

"That means the total number of the enemy, don't it?" asked Davy,
quickly.

"Just what it does, and I'm glad to see how you catch on," continued
Allan. "Now, after telling how many foes they have ahead, the scout
tries to mark each one in some way so they can be distinguished all
through the letter. Here's a fellow who seems to be one-armed, for he
always appears that way. A second is very tall, you notice, while a
third is a dwarf, and a fourth limps a little, for his leg is bent some
in every picture. The fifth wears a hat; and as for the sixth, he must
be feeling the effects of looking into a bottle too many times; because
he wobbles some as he pursues his way. Got all that, fellows?"

"Sure, and it's some interesting, Allan," declared Step-hen.

"Well, they've been in camp here, for you can see the remains of a fire,
but with very little smoke ascending, showing that it is nearly dead.
They have gone due northeast after breaking camp. Here are five marks
like the pickets on a fence, just alongside this cross. Now, what would
you think those meant?"

"Looks to me as if the men had gone five miles up to that cross," Thad
remarked.

"Just what I was going to say," said Davy, disappointed to come in
second.

"Both of you have hit the nail on the head," laughed Allan; "for that is
what the Indian wants to say. And here at the five mile station the
part