“Say, we don’t want to just go on walking.  There’s no fun in that,” objected Spoff Henderson.

“We’re out for rest more than for fun,” Dick replied.  “The walk and the rest this afternoon are all by way of preparing for the big game to-morrow afternoon.”

“But wouldn’t there be more rest about it if we had a little fun?” Spoff insisted.

“Perhaps,” Dick nodded.  “What’s your idea of fun?”

“Why not play ’Indians and Whites’?” put in Toby Ross eagerly.

“That would be just the sort of game for to-day,” Dave approved.

“That’s what I say,” nodded Tom.

“Dick, you’re used to these woods,” Spoff went on.  “You be the big Injun—–­the big chief.  Choose two more of the fellows to be Injuns with you, and the rest will be whites.”

“All right,” nodded Dick.  “Dave and Tom can go with me.  Who’ll be your captain?”

“Greg!” cried Spoff.

“Holmesy,” said Ross in the same breath.

So Greg Holmes was chosen captain, to command the whites.

“Give us the full six minutes, Greg, won’t you?” Dick called, as he and his two fellow “Injuns” prepared to enter the deep woods.

“Of course I will,” Greg nodded.  “You don’t think I’d cheat, do you?”

Those of the boys who were proud owners of watches hurriedly consulted their timepieces.  Greg retained his in his hand.

“Now,” called Dick, and away he started, followed by Braves Darrin and Reade.

As the Gridley boys had their own version of “Indians and Whites,” a description of the game may as well be given here.

The Indians always chose a chief, the whites a captain.  Chief and braves started away at the call of time.  Six minutes later, to the second, the whites started in pursuit.  The whites must keep in one band, as must also the Indians.  Yet, in trailing, the whites could spread out, while the Indians must keep together.

Though the Indians were allowed to double on the trail, they were not permitted to run.  Nothing faster than an ordinary walk was permitted to them, unless they found themselves sighted by the whites.

Moreover, owing to the lack of skill on the part of the whites in following a trail, the Indians were required to walk as usual, making no special efforts to hide their footprints.

The whites were permitted to pursue at any gait.  If they sighted the Indians, then they were expected to yell by way of warning.  If more than half the Indians were captured before the expiration of an hour from the first departure of the Indians, then the whites won.  Otherwise the Indians were victors.

Dick walked in advance, Dave and Tom side by side just behind him.

“We must try to think up some way to fool the fellows,” muttered Reade.

“Halt!” warned Dick, when they were barely two minutes away from the starting point.

Darrin and Reade stopped in their tracks.