“What’s this you tried to tell us about yeour traps bein’ stolen?” he asked.
In return Harry told their story, to which the others added such details as they saw fit. The tale took some little time, and the boys now found that they had five close listeners.
“Wall, thet’s the worst yet, ef it’s true,” said the leading farmer.
“An’ I guess it ez true,” burst out Josh Higginson. “Fer I saw them three fellers skulkin’ around my farm only this noon!”
“These are all our traps,” said Jack, pointing to the loaded sled. “Their traps are in the shelter yonder.”
“Then it’s likely they be coming back,” said the stout farmer. “Supposin’ we stay here an’ lay low for ’em?”
“Thet’s the talk,” put in another of the farmers. “An’ if those boys are honest they’ll stay with us.”
“We expected to get back to camp before dark,” replied Jack, slowly. “But I’m willing to stay if the others are. I would like to meet those three chaps.”
“So would I,” added Harry. “Let us stay.”
“We’ll stay and help you give them a warm reception,” said Boxy, with a look that made every one of the farmers laugh.