At the recollection, Musgrove's ruddy face seemed to turn a shade paler, while a frightened expression came into his eyes.

"Wuss than ever? I should say so!" echoed Tim. "I've knocked around in the woods for a long time, but I never heard nothing like it before."

"'Tain't natural, I tell you," said Musgrove. "Neither me or Tim slep' a wink all night."

"It's some kind of a prowling beast, Musgrove," put in Nat. "If we once get a crack at him, there won't be much more howling done."

"That's right, Nat," said John Hackett, "and I only hope we get a chance to-night."

After lunch, the boys in several parties started out on a tour of exploration.

Bob, Sam Randall and Dick Travers discovered a creek, and in the course of their wanderings came across the trail of a fox. The boys had decided to put in the whole of the next day on a trip in quest of big game.

"Every time I think of that buck, I want to start right off," declared Bob Somers.

"So do I," exclaimed Sam. "If we brought one down, it would cause a sensation all right."

Late in the afternoon the camp was reached.