"When Ned went away?"

"No, when did Walter leave?"

"I don't know. It was somewhere about sundown when I saw him last."

"Which way do you think he went?"

"That way, I guess," replied Chunky, pointing.

By this time the men had lighted the fire.

"Give that boy something to eat right now," commanded the leader the
moment he set eyes on Stacy. "He's half starved. He can hardly
stand."

They opened the package of food at once, giving the once fat boy a
little at a time at first and compelling him to eat slowly.

"Then there is not one of them here but Chunky," muttered Tad.

"No--nobody but me and the mules," answered Stacy quickly.

No one thought of laughing.

"Are we not going out to look for the others now?" asked Tad.

"Yes, I reckon we might as well," decided the leader. "We'll leave
your friend here till morning. One of our men will remain here with
him. At daylight they will start for the Red Star. If anything has