which still flew from the sapling, they set up a loud and ringing
shout.

"Hullo!" came back from Snap, as he rushed from the shelter, followed
by Giant. "Back at last, eh? Are you all right?"

"Yes," answered Whopper. "But we've had quite an adventure, I can tell
you. And we've got a deer!" he added, with pride.

Snap and Giant came to the shore to help pull the load up to the camp
and then noticed the tramp.

"Hullo!" cried Giant. "How is it you are getting a free ride?"

"Do you know him?" questioned Shep, quickly.

"Not exactly. He came to our house begging--the day before we left
home," answered the smaller member of the club, in a whisper.

"We found him half frozen, in the snow," said Whopper. "He says there
is something the matter with his back."

The shelter gained, Shep and Giant were glad enough to go in and rest
and so was Kiddy Leech. The tramp gazed around the cozy place with
keen satisfaction.

"This is a bang-up bunk," he observed. "A fellow could stay here a
long time and enjoy himself."

While the three newcomers rested, Giant and Snap bustled around and