"Yes, he is on the other side of the lake by this time. Look at this camp," said Tad, surveying the remains ruefully.
"It isn't a camp; it's a hodge-podge."
"I agree with you. Let's get the fire going the first thing we do. I am afraid we shan't get much sleep tonight. By the way, you had better look to those ponies," advised Butler.
"I—I don't want to."
"Why not?"
"I guess I'm afraid."
"Pooh!"
"They're gone!" yelled the fat boy a couple of minutes later. "They have broken away."
Tad was at first startled at this announcement, but he took tight hold of himself, steadied himself, and after a moment or so had his emotions well in hand.
"Help me set the camp to rights," he said calmly.