Two of the scouts, who were pretty well up in wigwag work, had been dispatched to a knob part way up the mountain, from which a fine view of the lower lake could be obtained, as well as the zigzag course of the connecting Paradise Creek.
"Looks like they must have sighted our scout master, then," declared Elmer, as he left what he was engaged in doing to hasten over to where the balance of the signal flags lay.
Snatching one up he began to wave it in certain eccentric movements which Red Huggins, who held the book, knew to be a query as to what the outposts or videttes had discovered.
"There! he's starting to answer. Everybody watch sharp, and write down what you make it!" exclaimed the scout leader.
Pencils and paper had been made ready, though most of the scouts carried small note books in which they entered such things as they wished to preserve.
For some little time they watched each deliberate motion of the distant waving flag, no one saying a word. When finally the sign was given that the message had reached its end, every scout started to scribble at hot speed.
Then Elmer walked along the line, examining the various records.
"Pretty well done," he said after he had completed his examination, "but of course it was the easiest of tests, for we all felt sure the report would be that they were in sight. They are crossing Jupiter Lake right now. That means they will be with us inside of an hour and a half, for Ginger is rowing stoutly, Matty says, and Mr. Eggleston seems to be getting ready to take the second pair of oars himself for the pull up Paradise Creek, which you may remember is no cinch, fellows."
"That's right," declared Larry Billings, rubbing his arm, the muscles of which had been more or less sore ever since that strain.
"It's going to be a long hour and a half," said Jasper Merriweather.