“Not so you could notice it!” was the reply.  “If there’s anything I like, it’s nice little Boy Scout excursions like this.  All we have to do to get busy is to get a camping outfit together and march off into the wilderness.  Everything else comes right along as a matter of course.  Everything else, from magic haunches of venison, which appear when you wave your hand, to Little Brass Gods, which grin down from the wall one second and vanish in smoke the next!”

“Aw, come on to bed!” cried George.

“I’m going to sit up and get breakfast!” declared Tommy.  “Sandy’s got a grouch on, and there’s nothing on earth so good for a grouch as a slice of broiled venison.”

Tommy dressed himself and chased outdoors in order to bring in the meat supply.  He returned without it.  The venison was gone!

CHAPTER XV

A HUNTING EXPEDITION

The boys remained at the cabin all the next day stirring out only for wood and game.  Without going, more than a dozen yards from the habitation, the boys shot three rabbits and half a dozen squirrels.

These were taken about noon, and the boys immediately began the preparation of a stew.  There were a few potatoes left, and these they pared and sliced into the savory dish when it was nearing completion.

They expected, every one of them, to receive another visit from the mysterious persons who had appeared at the cabin on the previous night, yet they did not talk of what was in their thoughts.  They discussed the sad plight of Antoine, wandering about in the forest with a broken wrist, and wondered if the cached provisions were still intact.

The following night was a quiet one.  Snow fell heavily, and the small streams of that section took on icy blankets.

When they awoke the following morning, the sun was shining brightly, and there were many signs of a pleasant week.

“After breakfast,” Tommy declared, as he sent his plate over for the third helping of the rejuvenated stew, I’m going out and get a specimen of every wild animal in the woods.  Then I’m going to put them all into this stew!”

“You might put a wolverine into it!” suggested Thede.

“Are they good to eat?” demanded Tommy.

“They’re good to eat game out of the traps, I understand,” replied the boy.  “Or, just for a change,” Thede continued, “how’d you like an owl in your stew?  I guess that wouldn’t put you wise or anything!”

“You seem to know quite a lot about this country,” Will suggested.

“Poor Pierre taught me quite a lot during our rambles,” Thede answered sorrowfully.

“Then perhaps you’d better come along with Tommy and me and show us where to get these different kinds of animals the kid wants to put into his stew.  That will help some.”

After breakfast the three boys started out with their automatics.