“Andy always thinks of things like that!” exclaimed David admiringly.

“Get the paper from the can and bring it up to camp,” directed Doctor Joe.  “We’ll make several copies of the directions.  I have paper and pencil there in the tent.”

David lifted the flat stone from the top of the cairn, and removing the paper he and the others followed Doctor Joe to his tent, where Doctor Joe made nine copies of the explicit directions, one for himself and one for each of the lads.

“You had better return this now to the can,” said Doctor Joe, handing the paper back to David, “for if it should prove after all that we have been mistaken, and that the cache does not contain Lem’s silver fox or other stolen property, it would be wrong, and we would not wish, to interfere with the man for whom this paper was left here finding the cache.”

“’Twould be fair wicked to do that,” agreed David.  “I’ll put un back.”

When the paper had again been returned to its hiding-place Doctor Joe detailed the boys to their different positions.  David and Peter were to follow the brook, David on the left side and Peter on the right side as they ascended.  Seth Muggs, Obadiah Button, Andy and Jamie were to spread out at intervals on the left from David, and Lige Sparks, Micah Dunk and Doctor Joe on the right side of the brook from Peter.  All were to ascend through the woods at the same time, keeping a sharp look-out to right and to left for any unusual rock or other possible signs that might lead to a clue.

“Now we had better keep close enough together to keep in sight the man nearest us on the side toward the brook,” directed Doctor Joe.  “If we spread farther apart than that we shall be too far apart to see any rock that may be between us.”

“Aye, and we’ll keep lookin’ both ways,” said Andy.  “That way we can’t miss un.”

“It’s now,” Doctor Joe consulted his watch, “one-thirty o’clock.  It’s cloudy and it will be dark by half-past four.  I’ll call to Micah at half-past three and he will pass the word along to the next man and he to the next and so on until all have been notified.  Then we will immediately come together and return to camp, that is, of course, if we have not already found the cache.  If before that time anyone finds what he thinks may be the rock he will pass the word to his neighbour, and we’ll close in and make our search together.  If it begins to snow, and the snow is too thick for us to see our next neighbour, we’ll close in, for in that case we would miss the rock anyway.  Do you all understand?”

Every one understood, as the chorus of “Yes, sir,” testified.

“Jamie,” said Doctor Joe, “you’re the youngest one, and you haven’t had much experience tramping through the woods.  If you get tired, or find it hard, just come over to the brook and follow it down to camp.  If you get there ahead of us you might start a fire in our tent stove and put the kettle over.”