"That reminds me," said he. "I've been sittin' talkin' here too long. I've got to be about my business and your folks'll wonder why you don't come home to dinner. Come, Nan, old girl."
The setter sprang up, yawned, and then stood ready for the next command. Both boys patted her and then held out their hands to Sam.
"I hope we'll see you again sometime," said Ernest. "We like to hear you tell about your dogs."
The man's tanned face seemed to soften a little as he shook hands with the boys.
"Well," said he, "I guess you can see me if you want to. My social engagements ain't very pressin' just now. I ain't got one of my business cards with me, but you can just call anywhere in these woods and ask for Sam Bumpus. The dogs'll know me if the men don't. So long, boys," and he strode off down the bank with Nan dashing joyously ahead.
"Good-by, Mr. Bumpus," called Ernest and Jack.
He paused in the act of leaping the brook and looked around, with the twinkle in his eyes.
"Say," he called back, "if I ever hear you call me that again I'll set the dog on you. My name's Sam, d'ye hear?" Then he slipped in among the underbrush and was gone.
Talking animatedly about their new acquaintance and about dogs, the two boys hastened to lock up their treasure chest and depart.
"Say, Ernest," said Jack, as they started off through the woods with their bags of chestnuts over their shoulders, "the Cave is a great place for adventures, isn't it?"