“He’s smelling to see if the ham ever rested there, that’s what,” declared Josh.
“And now look at him on his hands and knees, alongside that flat stone, would you?” remarked Buster, wonderingly. “Whatever do you reckon Jack’s got in his head, fellers?”
“He’s getting up now, and we’ll know right soon, which is one comfort,” George observed.
Jack beckoned them over, and as soon as they came running pell-mell, he wagged his head in a mysterious fashion, and pointed down to a spot near his feet.
“That stuff didn’t walk off on its own account, boys; if you look sharp you’ll see what did the little trick!” and as their eyes instantly turned down toward the ground they saw the plain imprint of a great big shoe there!
[CHAPTER V]
THE FIRST CAMP FIRE OF THE TRIP
“Holy smoke! so that’s what the matter, is it?” exclaimed Buster, as he stared at the telltale track.
“A thief, that’s what!” breathed George, angrily, as he turned to glance at the neighboring growth of trees, now partly lost in the gloom of coming night.