When the boys reached the tent they found Oliver and Teddy mourning over the destruction of a large number of films and plates. Many pictures, developed and printed with great care, had also been torn or burned.
"Well," Jimmie declared, "they didn't get their hands on the films in my baby camera. I've got a few good ones left."
"Now, Jack," Ned said, "suppose you connect with Uncle Ike and make for the nearest telegraph office? Don't break your neck, and the neck of the mule, but get there as soon as you can. And get back as soon as you receive an answer."
"Why can't I go with him?" asked Jimmie. "I guess I want a mule ride."
"Go it, if you want to!" Ned laughed. "That will leave us one mule to run away on if things get too hot for us here!"
CHAPTER XXI
TOLD BY THE PICTURES
"You'll think we took great care of the camp!" Teddy said, flushing, to Ned, as Jack and Jimmie, followed by the cheers and good wishes of their chums, started away.
"Aw, it wasn't Teddy's fault at all," Oliver declared. "He went down to tell Uncle Ike what a gentleman and a scholar he was, and I was supposed to watch the tent."
"And I was to help him," wailed Dode. "See how well I did it!"