"Lost, I guess," replied Stacy, not appearing to be in the least
disturbed by his own announcement.

Walter started up in alarm.

"You don't--you don't think--"

"No, I'm just guessing."

"If--if Ned should get lost, too, it would be awful."

Stacy nodded indifferently, Walter meanwhile pacing restlessly back
and forth.

The lad's face wore a troubled look. With the Professor and all his
companions save Stacy, gone; with no food left in camp, Walter Perkins
had reason to feel alarmed.

Chunky, however, whittled on undisturbed.

"Are you hungry, Chunky?" asked Walter, pausing in his walk, later on.

Stacy nodded.

The day had worn along well into the afternoon and neither of the boys
had had anything to eat since early morning. Their appetites were
beginning to assert themselves.

"I'm going to get some mineral water. It surely will help some. Come