"Might as well give it up," said Shep, looking around. "It is growing dark and he will know enough to keep hidden. Besides, if we corner him he may play some trick—tumble a rock on us, or something like that."
Slowly the two young hunters retraced their way to the river. They were now so tired they could scarcely drag one foot after the other. The excitement over, reaction set in.
"I don't think I want to walk all the way to camp to-night," remarked
Shep. "It's too far."
"We'll put up somewhere over night," answered Snap.
They examined the things on the sled with interest and were glad to ascertain that nearly every article stolen was there. The few things missing were of scant importance.
"I'll wager that scamp intended to take the things somewhere and sell them," said Snap. "We were lucky to catch him as we did."
Having looked the load over, they repacked it with care and then looked around them, to find out their exact location.
"There is a farmer named Masterson, who lives just beyond this woods," said Snap. "My father sold him the lumber for his new barn. Perhaps he'll take us in for the night, if we offer to pay him."
"Well, we can try him anyway," answered the doctor's son.
They skated along the river until the field leading up to the farmhouse was reached. It was now quite dark. A dog came out to greet them, barking furiously.