Something passing on the river attracted attention, and the boys
all walked a few paces toward the water.

At this instant, as their backs were turned, a boy ran swiftly
from a nearby clump of bushes, snatched the pan from the stove,
overturning the latter as he did so, and silently dashed back into
the woods.

It was done so quickly and adroitly that Pepper, who was the first
to catch sight of him, had scarcely time to shout:

"There goes Monkey Rae, and he has got our fish."

"What is it?" asked Rand in bewilderment.

"Monkey Rae," cried Pepper; "he's stolen our fish! Come on, boys.
After him!"

"Well, of all things!" exclaimed Rand, "that takes the cake."

"I t-t-think it takes t-t-the fish," amended Pepper, as he dashed
away.

The boys set out at once in pursuit of the thief, but he had too
long a start, and perhaps, some knowledge of the locality, and
after a vain hunt they straggled back to the boat without having
found any trace of him.

"Well, that's the meanest thing yet," grumbled Pepper, looking at