"Here is where they rested again," announced Jack presently, and showed where some rocks had been swept clear of the snow.
"Yes, and they stopped long enough to have something to eat," added Randy. "Here are a crust of bread and some cake crumbs."
The trail continued to wind in and out among the woods, and the Rovers and the old lumberman followed it for fully an hour longer. Then they came out on the eastern shore of the island.
"I guess this is the end of it," announced Uncle Barney dismally. "They probably skated away from this point."
"No, they didn't!" cried Jack, who was making an examination of the footprints. "They went down the lake shore."
"I'll tell you what I think!" said Randy. "They most likely wanted to get to Rockville, and they were afraid that if they attempted to cross to the other side of the island they would become lost again. So instead of going across, they went down to the lower end."
"Here come two men!" cried Randy suddenly. He had been peering out on the surface of the lake.
"Maybe they are Professor Lemm and Mr. Brown," suggested Andy.
The men were at a great distance, but skating rapidly toward the island. As they came closer, Jack saw that they were strangers, and he waved his cap and shouted at them.
"They may have seen Slugger and Nappy, or else they may have some news for us," he said.