“They must have visited the camp early in the morning,” said Boxy. “Otherwise, they couldn’t have come so far before nightfall.”
“It’s my opinion they came in right after we went away,” said Andy. “Maybe they were watching for our departure.”
“Dat’s de ghost did it!” burst out Pickles. “I’ll bet my ole hat on it!”
“I guess the ghost was one of the party,” said Jack, dryly, and Boxy started and suddenly turned red.
No more was said just then, Harry at that moment catching sight of a partridge and firing. He caught the bird just as it was going up with a whirr, and brought it down almost at the party’s feet.
“There, Andy, now we can have three kinds of meat instead of two,” he laughed, and put the bird in his game-bag.
“It must be nearly noon,” said Jack, a few minutes later. “Wait till I look at my watch.” He unbuttoned his overcoat and his jacket. “Quarter to twelve.”
“I knowed it was about dat, kase I’m so hungry,” replied Pickles.
“We can stop for dinner if you say so,” said Harry.
It was so agreed, and, coming to several fallen trees, they rested and ate their venison. Andy wanted to cook his squirrel, but it was voted by the others that this would take too long.