us is carrying what Bob calls a 'snack,' along with
us--some ham between crackers."

"Well," said Allan, who secretly wished he might be going along too;
"here's hoping you learn something about the queer men who have been
using that island for some purpose or other."

"I hope so, too," replied Thad; "because, somehow, they've aroused a
sort of curiosity in me. They seem to hide from us, as if they didn't
want anybody to see what kind of fellows they were. Why, all the time
we've been here they must have known about us, and could even see our
flag flying from the pole in front of the tents; yet they've never as
much as said 'good morning' to us."

"Never a peep," Allan went on to say. "And that makes me think there's
sure something crooked about 'em. I wish----"

"Now I know what you're going to say," broke in Thad, with a smile; "you
feel bad because I didn't fetch my double-barrel gun along on this trip.
Well, between you and me, I do, myself. It would have been a whole lot
of comfort right now. But you know, Boy Scouts don't want to look too
much like soldiers. Some of the town people talked a heap about not
wanting their sons to join a military company; and we had trouble
convincing them that the scouts didn't have a thing to do with army
life. That's why we've only been able to organize one patrol up to now.
But the feel of that little twelve bore would be good this morning, even
if game laws stood between me and getting a few partridges."

"Please hurry up your stumps, Thad!" called Davy, who was wild with
eagerness to get moving; for he had envied those who were allowed to go
to the island on the preceding day, and felt anxious to set foot on the
enchanted ground, where mysterious strangers seemed to have their abode,
yet could not be found.

"That's all I wanted to say, Allan," the scout-master concluded; "and as
Davy will have one of his fits soon, if I don't get off, I reckon I'll
start. If we fail to show up at noon, why, don't worry. Nothing is going
to hurt any of us, that I can see."

The rest of the scouts gathered at the water's edge to see them embark
on the exploring expedition; and all sorts of chaffing was indulged in
between Davy and some of his camp mates. Bumpus in particular was so
pleased over not having been drafted to go in the cranky canoe that he
seemed to be just bubbling over with exuberant spirits.

When the boat had gone some fifty yards from the shore he drew out his
bugle, kep