"Not very much," replied Mr. Waterman, "but enough to convince me that there was only one person over the trail."
"Well, if that's the case," said Bob, "surely there won't be much danger in my going with you to-morrow."
"Why not? There might be four or five in this party for all we know," answered Mr. Waterman.
"That's so," said Bob.
"I'm inclined to take you along for you have very good sense about most things, I notice," said Mr. Waterman, half to himself.
Bob blushed up to the ears at hearing this praise from his leader.
"I'm sure, I'll try to be useful if you take me along," said Bob.
They were soon down on the shore of their own lake and they could hear the shouts of Bill and Pud as they wallowed in the water.
"The rest of them are back," said Mr. Waterman.
"I wonder if Pud found any traces of his bear thief," laughed Bob.