"To me, the tracks in the soil looked like a lynx's, or something," added Joan, hoping to cover the ignominy of having unearthed a skunk without knowing the animal.
"Isn't there some sort of book that will teach us how to recognize tracks, girls?" asked Hester.
"Is there, Verny? Maybe we can get one at the bungalow," added Julie.
"I don't know of any at this moment, but Mr. Gilroy surely will know," replied the Captain.
So they all went to the bungalow the next morning to inquire after Jake's scent, and also to borrow any books on the subject they had discussed.
"Yes, I have several books, and let me tell you they are precious, too. There are but few on this subject, and the one I consider the best was compiled by Ernest Seton-Thompson under great difficulties. He had to gather all information from plaster casts made in the tracks themselves, or from sketches, or from camera pictures taken on the spot.
"As every different animal leaves a different track, there are many illustrations necessary in such a work, and that makes the book most desirable and also very expensive. But it is great fun to study the pictures and then try to recognize the tracks in the woods."
"We haven't found any about camp," said Judith, regretfully.
"There must be all sorts of tracks there, but you don't know how to find them. Now, if you want to study this book and then practice early some morning, I'll come down and help find the tracks," Mr. Gilroy said.
"Oh, great! Will you come to-morrow morning?" asked the girls.