Having brought their game around to the shed attached to the cabin, the boys were glad enough to rest before the generous fire, while Professor Jeffer proceeded to cut out some choice moose meat, having been requested by Barwell Dawson to do so.
“The moose is yours,” Mr. Dawson said to the boys. “But I must have at least one steak, although it may be rather tough.”
“You can have as much as you like,” answered Chet. “I don’t think Andy wants it all, and I am sure I don’t.”
Darkness was settling down once more around the cabin, when Andy chanced to think of the papers concerning the land claim in Michigan. He had placed them in an inside pocket of his jacket, and now he inserted his hand to bring them forth, to make certain that they were safe.
“Oh!” he cried, and his heart began to beat wildly.
“What’s the matter?” queried Chet, who was near. “Hurt?”
“The papers!”
“What of them?”
“They are gone!”
“Gone?” repeated Chet, and now Professor Jeffer and Barwell Dawson listened with interest.