They at last got away without waking up the two boys.
"I bet Pud and Bill will be mad as sin when they find me gone with you," said Bob to Mr. Waterman.
"Yes, I suppose that they would like to come, but you know we may run into trouble of some kind and in that case, it will be best not to have too many along," replied Mr. Waterman.
"I can't make this out," said Jack. "There is something amiss, for every one knows that in this country, all one has to do is to ask and any grub that one has will be shared."
"Bad man," said Pierre. "He no have to steal if he not be bad."
"You may be right," said Mr. Waterman.
By this time they were on the first portage. When they came to the place where Bob had noticed the tracks, Pierre and Jack stopped and examined them attentively.
"He no want to be seen," said Pierre.
"He's a corking good woodsman," said Jack.
"You're both right," replied Mr. Waterman. "Later on, we shall see how clever he is in concealing a trail."