"Beans, that's all, and not much of that. Unless we get the stuff down there, we won't have another meal to-day."
The other two boys began preparing for the camp-fire. Ned had been gone only a few moments when he returned on a run.
"Boys! Boys!" he cried.
"What is it? What is it?" they exclaimed in sudden alarm.
"The ponies! The ponies!"
"What about them?" asked Walter, pausing as he was about to strike a match to the wood.
"Yes, what of them, Master Ned? Has anything happened to them?" asked the Professor, striding toward the excited Ned Rector.
"Happened? I should say there had—"
"Well, what is it? Don't keep us waiting in suspense all—"
"They're gone!"