"Mighty kind," growled Kiddy Leech, and that was all he said.
After that the farmer and the two young hunters returned to the house and talked the matter over for a full hour. It was decided to take Kiddy Leech to the Riverside jail the first thing in the morning. Then Snap was to go home and tell his father of what had occurred, and Shep was to take the news to the camp on Firefly Lake.
The two boys were given a comfortable room in which to sleep. It felt more than good after "bunking around" in camp and forest, and despite the excitement of the tramp's capture, they slept well.
"Hi! boys, got up!" they heard Aaron Masterson call, at about six o'clock.
"Oh, dear, I wish he'd let us sleep an hour longer," grumbled the doctor's son.
"Remember, we are to take that tramp to the lock-up this morning," answered Snap.
"Boys, are you awake?" went on the farmer. "I've got news for you!
Thet tramp's got away!"
CHAPTER XXVIII
FOUR BOYS AND A BEAR
"ESCAPED!" ejaculated Shep.