Besides, here was a regular path, beaten down by many feet, and which headed in the quarter Elmer knew the big pond lay.
That settled it.
Elmer waited for the balance of the troop to come up. Everyone's gaze was fastened on him. Eyes flashed more brightly than usual, and some of the boys naturally showed their nervousness by the way they kept their cudgels moving.
"Is that the place, Landy, where you saw the shack?" he demanded.
Landy had known it was for more than a full minute past, but he remembered that a scout on duty must wait to be asked before volunteering any information.
"Yes, sir," he replied, "that is the place."
"Spread out a little, fellows," said Elmer, quietly, "and advance slowly. Everyone be ready to give a good account of himself if they rush any dogs on us. Forward now!"
And silently the sixteen scouts, spread out somewhat like an open fan, started to advance upon the strange dense thicket in which Landy had seen a shack.