“Hurray for Bumpus!” exclaimed Giraffe.
“I can see him passing the examination for a first-class scout some of these fine days,” added Step Hen. “Who’d ever think it of him?”
They pushed on once more, after Allan had even shown them the very stick on one end of which Bumpus had thrust his slice of smoked ham, and cooked it, after a fashion. Step Hen put it up to his nose, and vouched for the accuracy of Allan’s assertion.
But all the boys were a little tired, and when it grew too dark under the trees to see the trail of the lost tenderfoot they eagerly welcomed Thad’s suggestion that they rest up for the night.
So Giraffe was instructed to build a cooking fire at a certain place. It happened to be in a little natural basin, and here the four boys ate their supper, over which they talked earnestly, but there was no hilarity.
Later on while the others were partly done with their meal, Allan left the circle and said he would take a little stroll. He went up the rise, as though desirous of seeing what lay beyond.
The moon was about three-quarters full, and hung in the eastern sky; but under the big trees it was almost dark.
Shortly afterward Allan came hurrying back, declaring that he had discovered what looked to be a lone camp-fire, at some distance away in the woods.
“Perhaps it’s Bumpus,” suggested Step Hen, eagerly, jumping up, although still hungry.
“Then he didn’t go far on the second day, or else he’s been traveling in a circle and got back near where he started out from,” said Giraffe.