Several of the more impulsive scouts started to hurry in that direction.
"Stop, boys!" called the scout master instantly. "Come back here, please. Once before you succeeded in trampling all sign out, so that Elmer was unable to pick up any clue. Now, I want just Elmer and Mark to go over there, to investigate. After that has been done they will report to me. And now, let's settle down in camp, for I know you are all tired. Supper is the next thing on the program."
Elmer, accompanied by his nearest chum, immediately walked carefully over in the direction of the spot which Ginger had indicated. They bent low, and seemed to be deeply interested in certain tracks they had found.
Of course the boys shot many curious glances that way, but they knew better than to disobey the positive orders given by their chief. Discipline is one of the first things taught among the Boy Scouts.
About this time Dr. Ted and Jack Armitage got back from a day at the cabin. They had much to tell about what they had occupied themselves in doing all the time, preparing things so that in a few days the family could be moved, for Mr. Garrabrant had fully decided to take the sick man and his "kiddies" down in one of the boats to Rockaway, where they could be looked after until the expedition returned.
It was getting dusk before Elmer and his chum joined the others. They did not give out any information, and to the inquiries of their curious mates returned only vague smiles and nods.
Supper was eaten with more or less clatter of tongues. There were so many interesting subjects claiming their attention that the boys hardly knew which to discuss first.
When, however, the meal was about done, Mr. Garrabrant asked Elmer to step aside with him for a short time.
"Here, let us sit down on this convenient log, Elmer," remarked the scout master. "And please tell me what you found."
"We had no difficulty in discovering the tracks, sir," replied the boy, whose experience on a Canadian prairie farm and ranch made him a valuable addition to the ranks of the Boy Scouts at such a time.