"Then, there's no use trying to follow?"

"No."

"What time is it?"

"Half-past three," announced Tad after consulting his watch.

"Huh!" grunted Ned. "I guess the Professor has gone and done it
himself this time."

"We'll wait," answered Tad easily.

After piling fresh fuel on the fire Tad went over and sat on the bluff
overlooking the eastern slope of the range of mountains which they
were traversing. Chunky lay stretched out sound asleep, untroubled by
the series of disasters that had overtaken them.

Tad after running over in his mind many plans, none of which seemed
practicable, also lay down for a nap, and in a few moments the tired
boys were all sound asleep, including the pack mules.

When they awakened the sun had been down all of half an hour. Tad was
the first to awake. He started up guiltily, and looking around found
that he was not the only one who had napped.

"Hallo, the camp!" he shouted.

The other boys sat up suddenly, rubbing their eyes.