"Well, what do you suppose I know about 'em, Travers?" snapped John Hackett. "I wouldn't mind if they were to start up right now."
"Are we going to try and find out where this beast came from?" inquired Bob.
Hackett glanced toward the strange-looking wildcat with a savage scowl.
"Well, I should say so!" he exclaimed.
"Oh, ho, why not look for tracks, fellows?" proposed Dave Brandon. "The only thing I'm mad about is getting awakened so early in the morning," he went on. "Some one is having great fun at our expense, and if we work quietly there's a chance of finding out who it is."
"Not much use of looking for tracks," growled Hackett. "The snow's been trampled too much for that. Wish I'd caught that fellow in the act."
"This looks like a print made by a snow-shoe!" exclaimed Bob, suddenly.
"That's just what it is," agreed Dave Brandon, leaning over and examining an impression which Somers pointed out.
"And here's another," put in Sam Randall.
In the course of a quarter of an hour distinct tracks were discovered leading around the base of the hill. The boys followed these gleefully for a short distance, then the trail was lost. It was some time, however, before they became discouraged and abandoned the search.