"That makes no difference. Matters no doubt will be held in abeyance until our arrival. Then, again, we may not get back here at once."
"If that is going to be done we had better leave our provisions here. We can't afford to be burdened with them on our way back. We shall no doubt return this way, when we can pick the stuff up. We will take enough for our meals on the way, but that must be all. Have you decided that we shall all go, Professor?" questioned Tad.
"Yes, yes, by all means. Make haste!"
"Charlie, help strike the tents. We've got to take them along and our kits," ordered Tad.
"Boys, sail in and help Charlie. I will cache the provisions and mark the trees so we shall know where to find them when we return."
"Oh, this is too bad," mourned Walter.
"Serves the little rascal right," retorted Rector. "Maybe this will teach him a lesson. What do you think it is, Tad?"
"I am sure I don't know. I haven't the least idea what he could have done that would have caused him to be arrested."
"Well, no use to guess about it. We shall know when we get there—"
"Go dress yourselves. You can't go that way," declared Tad, pausing long enough to observe that the two boys were still in their pajamas. Thus admonished, they hurried to their tent, returning very quickly with their clothes on. Then the boys got to work with a will. While Stacy's pony, that Charlie had ridden back, was lying down resting, Charlie got the other ponies in readiness, strapping the packs to their backs as fast as he could work. Charlie John was in as much of a hurry as the rest. The Indian had grown fond of Stacy Brown, and felt very bad to know that the fat boy had got into such trouble. Charlie held the law in deep awe.