"When I left Shep's house I walked in this direction, because I was worried for fear somebody might steal our traps. As I walked along I saw two persons running across Hecker's cornfield. I couldn't make out who they were, but I fancy they came from this direction."
"Then they must have caused the explosion," said Whopper quickly. "But why should they do it?"
"Maybe it was an accident," said Giant.
"I'd like to know how much our outfit is damaged," said Shep, anxiously. "I don't care about the old boathouse. It wasn't worth much anyway."
From a nearby store several lanterns were brought, and men and boys proceeded to make an inspection of the ruins. Some boards and timbers were hauled aside, and soon the boys discovered the sleds with the outfit practically as they had left them. One load was a bit damaged at the end, but that was all.
"I'm thankful it is no worse," was Snap's comment.
"If the fire hadn't been put out when it was everything would have burnt up," said Shep seriously.
While the boys were taking care of their sleds and the other things the men folks looked around for traces of what had caused the explosion. Among the men was Jerry Corwin, one of the blasters at the stone quarry.
"Dynamite did this," said he. "Dynamite and nothing else."
"It certainly sounded like dynamite," said another man.