The boys knew how Columbus felt when his sailors raised the cry of "Land!"
There was a jubilant shout as they lifted their heads and followed the direction of George's pointing finger.
There was no doubt of it. There, in a sheltered spot in the lee of a little hill, was a great fire whose flames rose high into the gathering darkness. As they drew nearer, they could see a number of figures moving about in the firelight.
"Let's make a break for it," cried Bob.
"We can't get there too soon!" exclaimed Frank.
They were starting to run when Sammy called a halt.
"Wait a minute, fellows," he said. "I'm just as crazy to get near that fire as you are. But how do we know who those people are? What are they doing out here in the open? They may be outlaws or robbers for all we know."
"I don't care if they are," said Bob, desperately. "They can rob me of all I've got if they'll only let me get warm by their fire."
But George had been somewhat impressed by what Sammy had said and he stopped them.
"It won't do any harm to be careful," he said. "My father says it is always better to be safe than sorry. We'll creep up on them until we can see what kind of people they are."