Dave muttered.

"He is, if he remains a tramp long enough," Dick declared with
emphasis. "Take the tramps we met this morning. Look at all
the trouble they were taking to rob us of food for a meal or two."

"There may have been an element of mischief in what they did,"
Dave hinted. "They may have done it just as a lark."

"They were thieves by instinct," Dick insisted. "They would have
stolen anything that they could get away with safely. Hello!
There's a light over there in the woods."

"Another camping party?" Dave wondered.

"Tramps, more likely. Suppose we speak low and advance with caution
until we know where we are and whom we're likely to meet."

In silence the high school boys drew nearer. The light proved
to come from a campfire that had been lighted some fifty feet
from the road.

"Yes, you have!" insisted a harsh voice, as the boys drew nearer.
"Don't try to fool with us. Turn over your money, or we'll make
you wish you had!"

"Why, it's our tramps of this morning," whispered Dave.

"And look at that wagon---the peddler's!" Dick whispered in answer.