that gun. It doesn't look good to me."

The boys crowded back into the chamber which Will had recently left
and looked at each other with inquiring eyes.

Pierre's harsh laugh came from the outer room. "You thieves!" he
cried. "You die like bear in a trap."

"What does the old idiot mean by that?" asked Will.

"Search me!" replied Tommy.

"How did he ever get you in here?"

"That's a pretty question to ask of us!" declared Tommy. "How did
he ever get you in here?"

"He came to camp and volunteered to help find you run-away boys,"
replied Will. "He brought me to the hills and tumbled boulders
into the entrance to the cavern."

"Well, he came to our assistance almost as soon as we reached the
hills in search of George," Tommy grinned. "He was so mighty
careful to get us into safe quarters that he led us into this
rotten hole and fixed it so we couldn't get out!"

"What's he doing it all for?" Will asked, turning to Tommy.

"Perhaps Thede Carson can tell you better than I can," replied
Tommy. "You remember Thede Carson, don't you, Will?"