Tad whistled and called, listening after each attempt without the
slightest result.

"He's gone. I've got to find my way back as best I can. The worst of
it is I may be a long way from camp, but I guess I can find my way
with the compass all right."

The compass, however, was nowhere to be found. The lad went through
his pockets twice in search of it.

"Pshaw! Just my luck. I'm as bad at losing things as Chunky is in
falling in. I'll get the gun anyway, for the Professor will be
provoked if I go back without it. Ah, there it is."

Tad picked up the weapon joyfully.

"I've got something to defend myself with, at least," he told
himself. A moment later when he discovered that the weapon held
nothing but empty shells, the keen edge of his joy was dulled.

"Well, it's better to pack back an empty gun than no gun at all," he
decided philosophically. Let me see, I think we came up that way.
They'll build a big fire so I can see it and I ought to be there
within half an hour at least."

The lad struck out confidently. He had been lost in the wilderness
before, and though he felt a slight uneasiness he had no doubt of
his ability to find the camp eventually.