“No,” called Dave, “and it seems that the fellow is no longer a thief, but a distinguished fellow citizen whom we must honor at sight, like a bank draft.”

“What are you talking about?” half frowned Belle.

“I haven’t the least idea what I am talking about,” Dave admitted cheerfully.  “You’ll have to ask Dick for the map to my few remarks.”

“Where are Mr. Colquitt and his party?” Dick demanded.

“Gone,” replied Laura Bentley.

“How long ago?” Dick asked, paling somewhat and looking troubled.

“About two minutes ago,” replied Dr. Bentley.  “They excused themselves and went away in their car.”

“Can’t you take me in your car, Doctor, and help me to pursue them?” asked Prescott anxiously.

“Yes,” agreed Dr. Bentley good-naturedly, “if you’ve any idea which direction to take in looking for them.  A mile to the east three roads cross; half a mile to the west four roads cross.  Our friends may be on any one of the seven roads, or they may have gone by a trail of their own.”

Dick came to an abrupt stop, clenching his hands tightly.

“Isn’t that luck for you?” he demanded ironically.  Then, suddenly, his face brightened.

“No matter,” he said.  “They can be reached through the Eagle Hotel, in Gridley.”

“Why should you want to reach them?” asked Laura curiously.

“Will you mind if I keep that to myself, for just a little while?” asked Dick, so pleasantly that Laura took no offense at all.

“How about my pudding?” called Jim.  “Anyone going to want any of it?”

Did they?  It was enjoyed to the full, and there was pudding left over, to be heated for another meal.

“Now, you boys had better come with me, and I’ll show you how to keep some of the cooked meat over, in summer, without ice,” proposed Mr. Ross.

“And my party must be getting along, or night will overtake us here,” declared Dr. Bentley, rising from what had been a most hospitable board.

“Then fellows, please excuse me if I write a short note and ask Dr. Bentley to mail it,” urged Dick.

So Dave Darrin mustered the other chums, marching them off in the wake of Mr. Ross, while Dick hastily scribbled a note, placed it in an envelope, and addressed it to Alonzo Hibbert, or Thomas Colquitt, Eagle Hotel, Gridley.

As Dick came out his other chums halted their labors long enough to take leave of Dr. Bentley and his party.  They escorted the departing guests to their automobiles, and saw them start away.

Such of the roast meat as was to be saved was packed in metal pails, covered, and then the pails lowered into a brook, where the cool water would to a certain extent take the place of ice.

Then Mr. Ross and his helpers removed the folding tables and other loaned articles.

“Thank you, boys, for what you did to break the stampede of the herd,” said Mr. Ross, waving his hand after he had sprung up into the saddle.