applied just before and after meals, and just before retiring, with a
dose at intervals during the night!"

"I'm not thinking of the prince now," Ned returned, still in a low
tone, for the others were not far off, "I'm wondering how Uncle Ike
came to be here."

"Broke away and eloped with himself, probably," laughed Frank.

"Yes," grinned Ned, "and put on saddle and bridle before he started!"

Frank's eyes now began to stick out.

"S-a-a-y!" he whispered. "We'd better be getting back to camp!
There's something out of whack there! If the mule could only talk!"

Bradley, who had backed away at Ned's warning, now came up to the
mule's head.

"He doesn't kick with his ears, does he?" he asked, with a smile.

"He's an outlaw," Ned answered, wishing Bradley would return to the
cabin. "He's thrown one of the boys, and we must be on our way. If
you have time before you leave, come up to the camp. We've got the
latest things in cameras and photographic material."

"I may get up there in the morning," was the reply.

Bradley and Mrs. Brady entered the house and closed the door, and Ned
turned to his chum with an odd look on his face.