We knew something was the matter and started for the woods on a jump, the corporal in the lead.
"It's gone!" shouted Skinny, when we had come near. "Some guy has stolen our dinner."
"Great snakes!" groaned Bill. "And I'm starving to death."
We all gathered around the place where we had hidden the things under some bushes. Skinny was right; they were gone. I tell you he was mad.
"I don't know whether we are Scouts or bandits or Injuns," said he, "and I don't care, but I'd like to get hold of the critter that stole our dinner. We wouldn't do a thing to him. Oh, no. Maybe not."
"Everybody scatter," he shouted. "Look for signs and tracks. We'll follow him to the ends of the earth."
CHAPTER III
TRACKING THE ROBBERS