“He’s up to some game,” decided Bob, and his chums agreed with him.
The night passed uneventfully, and after an early breakfast Ned, Bob and Jerry started for the mountain again. They made better time on this trip, and reached the site of the camp in mid-afternoon. No one was about, but another tent had been pitched near theirs, and through a note left in a conspicuous place by the foreman the boys learned that Watson and the others were off making a search. He advised the three boys to stay in camp until the return of the party.
The chums did not want to do this—they wanted to be “on the job,” as Ned declared, but they decided it was best to obey the wishes of a more experienced person.
“We can be getting grub ready for them,” suggested Bob, who, to do him justice, was as anxious to have others partake of the good viands he so enjoyed as he was to eat them himself.
His plan was voted a good one by his chums, and, having had considerable experience in the way of preparing meals, they got up a good one, that was much appreciated by the tired cowboys who came in just before dusk.
“Well, this is a surprise!” exclaimed the foreman as he smelled the savory odors. “In a way it makes up for our disappointment.”
“Then you didn’t find a trace of him?” asked Jerry.
“Not a trace.”
“Did you see queer marks?” Bob queried.
The foreman nodded silently, his mouth full of bread and bacon.