proud to give you all a snack in the morning."

"Suppose we do go and see the kid?" asked Oliver. "I'm curious to
know all about the little shaver!"

"I'm for it!" Frank exclaimed.

"And I'll be the first one there!" Jack put in. "I always liked kids--
from Washington! No one will molest the camp while we are gone."

"I wouldn't leave it alone, if I were you," advised the old lady.
"There's a heap of bad people come into the mountains sometimes.
Don't all leave at once."

"That's good advice, mother," Ned said. "Two will go and two will
remain here. In a short time the two out in the hills will return,
and then there will be a good-sized guard for what little stuff we
have."

"All right," Jack declared, "if any one is going to stay here, it
will be me! Come to think of it, I'm too blamed tired to walk another
step to-night. Eh, Oliver?"

"I'll remain here if you do," the boy replied. "I'm worn out up to my
knees now, climbing mountains. And, besides, Uncle Ike would be
lonesome without me away!"

"Very well" Ned agreed. "That leaves Frank and me for the visit. When
Jimmie and Teddy come, put them to bed without supper!"