njured. But when the same thing kept on repeating itself, and
invariably when there was earth to show the marks, he suddenly grasped
the splendid truth.

"Oh! isn't that boy a dandy, though?" he whispered to himself, in
delight; "as sure as anything now, he's just doing that on purpose,
meaning to leave as broad a trail as he can, so I could follow. Didn't I
say Smithy had it in him to make one of the best scouts in the whole
troop; and don't this prove it? Good for Smithy; he's all right!"

It made Thad feel quite pleased to know that the tenderfoot could be so
smart, with such little training. He continued to follow the tracks
with new ambition. So energetic a chum deserved to be looked after; and
Thad was better satisfied than ever because he had resolved to hunt for
Smithy, rather than lie around, trying to hide from the enemy in case
they were out looking for him.

By degrees he found that he was getting into a section of the island
which did not seem familiar to him in the least. Evidently, then, in
their various trips over the place, the boys had unconsciously avoided
this part; possibly because of its very roughness, and the difficulty of
pushing through the dense vegetation, and over the piled-up rocks.

"No wonder they chose this place to hide," thought Thad, as he climbed
across a barrier that taxed his powers; and wondered at the same time
however poor Smithy was ever able to make it, tied as he must be, or
gripped in the hands of his two captors.

He realized that he must now be getting nearer the den where the two
unknown men used as a hideout. The very solitude of the place affected
him. It was as if a heavy weight had been laid on his back, that
threatened to crush him.

Still, Thad was a very determined lad. Having made up his mind to
accomplish the rescue of his comrade, if it were at all possible, he
would not allow himself to be daunted by trifles such as these. Only
shutting his teeth more firmly together, he kept pushing resolutely on,
eyes and ears constantly on the alert.

Perhaps Giraffe was having just such a difficult job in making his way
across the country between the lake and Rockford; and if so, Thad hoped
he too was pushing resolutely forward, undismayed by no obstacles that
loomed up ahead.

Now and then Thad was at a loss which way to turn, for the rocks left
little or no trace for him to follow. At such times he had to exercise
his knowledge of slight clues to the utmost. Then