Dave Brandon and his companions were seen making their way toward the camp.
As they came up, Hackett shouted out the news.
Dick Travers gave a whistle of astonishment, while Tom, believing that some joke was intended, began to laugh.
But Bob Somers quickly told his story again, and the astonished boys were given a chance to decide what they wanted to do. The question was almost immediately settled.
In brief, Nat Wingate, Dave Brandon and Tom Clifton concluded that their services were not required. The others hastily prepared to take their departure. Bob, who had already been helping himself to everything eatable in sight, drank a cup of coffee which had fortunately been left over, filled his pockets with crackers, and followed the already retreating forms of Hackett, Randall and Travers.
"Come on!" cried the slim boy. "The snow isn't falling half as fast as it was."
The three who stood by the fire gazed after them in a disconsolate fashion.
"I wonder what is going to happen now?" said Nat Wingate, as the four figures were lost to view.