he put a quantity of coffee. This was then
placed over one of the "stoves," while on the other was placed a bucket
containing a quantity of beans, together with some of the cereal
"sausage" found amongst the Russian supplies.

Presently the lads were sniffing, as an appetizing odor filled the air.
A can of bacon was opened and set to sizzling in a frying pan.

"Wonder where we are, any how?" remarked Ned as the lads lay stretched
at full length on the grass, waiting for the stew to cook.

"Don't know," responded Jack, removing the frying pan from the fire.
"Suppose after we eat we get the wireless to work?"

"Good idea," remarked Ned, as the three gathered about the pot of stew.
"After breakfast we'll draw straws to see who does the dishes and the
other two will string the aerials."

"There won't be any dishes to wash," declared Harry, "if you fellows
are as hungry as I am. There won't be any need."

"Maybe so," laughed Ned, helping himself to the bacon and coffee.

For a time the boys gave themselves over to a discussion of the most
excellent breakfast. When they had finished, Ned said:

"Now, Jack, you and Harry get out the wireless while I clean up."

In a few moments the two were busy at their task selecting two small
trees not far apart to act as masts. The equipment that had been
stowed in one of the lockers was spread on the grass and they waited
for Ned to return from the brook, where he had gone to wash the dishes.

"All right, Ned," said Jack. "Turn on the juice and we'll go."

Ned stepped to the aeroplane and started the engine in an attempt to
operate the dynamo. No explosions followed his efforts.

"The engine's stalled!" he cried. "What's the matter?"

"Why, the spark plugs are gone!" declared Ned. "And look here," he
went on, "here are tracks showing some one has been here!"

Jack and Harry sprang to the side of their chum. They easily detected
the tracks mentioned by Ned. They were those of a man wearing heavy
shoes or boots and led away through the thicket.

"After him, boys, while the tracks are fresh," said Jack.

All three boys began to follow the tracks. They led around a clump of
brush near the aeroplane and seemed to be pointing in the direction of
the hilltop to the westward.

"What's this?" said Jack. "Looks like other tracks here."

The lads gathered closely about the spot. A lasso whizzed through the
air and settled about their shoulders. A jerk brought them lo