There was something left from supper of the night before. Rupert ate this with a hearty relish. He did not stop to make any hot coffee. Ben usually attended to this duty, and he was likely to appear at any moment.
"I will wait for Ben to come," Rupert said to himself. "I hope he hasn't gone very far."
After eating he lay back on the ground, for he still felt a little tired.
"It seems odd to be alone," he reflected.
He had not formed any particular attachment to Ben Boone, but he had a certain satisfaction in his companionship. They had become closely acquainted, and though Ben was not especially sociable, they had had some long talks together, so that Rupert felt a certain interest in his rough companion.
Half an hour passed, and Rupert began to feel impatient, as well as solitary.
"Why doesn't Ben come?" he asked himself. "It is very strange that he should go away so early and stay away so long."
As this thought came to him he happened to put his hand into the pocket where he usually kept his money.
The pocket was empty.