“Open our arms and welcome the recruits.  If they’re just bound to join forces with us, why should we make any kick.  I’m glad of it.”

Then raising his voice a little, Paul continued: 

“Hey! there!”

They could hear the murmur of voices.  Evidently the two shadows were talking it over, and must have arrived at some quick conclusion, for presently same a hail.

“Hello!  Paul, Jack!”

“It’s Bobolink, for one,” muttered Jack, immediately.

“Then it’s a sure thing William is tagging along,” said Wallace.

“Come on, both of you fellows.  No danger!” called Paul, softly.

After that assurance the shadows boldly advanced, and quickly joined the three who stood under the spreading oak.

It proved just as Jack and Wallace had predicted, for the newcomers turned out to be William and Bobolink.  They were chuckling, as though considering it a good joke.

“Thought you’d give us the quiet sneak, and gobble all the glory yourselves, hey?” said the latter, as they bustled up; “but William and myself had it all fixed.  We were on to your curves, all right.”

“Yes,” broke in William, just there; “didn’t we see you with your heads together a lot, and wasn’t we wise to what was in the wind.  Bobolink was awake, and it was my turn to snooze.  He gave me a kick in the seventh rib that made me think a comet had dropped on me.  But we showed up game.  Now, what’s doing, fellows; and do we get a grab at the scout?”

“If you both feel like trotting around a whole lot more, why you’re just as welcome as a shower in spring,” asserted Paul, promptly.

“I should say, yes,” declared Jack; “and if the whole bunch could stand the racket we wouldn’t have crept away like we did.  But most of the poor fellows are all in, and dead tired, and we thought it would be a shame to invite them to hike some more.”

“Did you bring your glim along?” asked Paul.

“Our lanterns?  Well, William didn’t want to, but I insisted.  I knew that if we missed you fellows, and lost ourselves in the bush, they’d come in mighty fine for company,” returned Bobolink.

“Then let’s light up.  After that we’ll spread out, and try to find the trail,” with which remark Paul set the example.

Presently five lanterns glowed like giant fireflies.

“Think it lies in this direction, Paul?” asked William.

“I’m sure of it.  After that man’s track came alongside the print of the little chap’s shoe, there was no more wandering about; but it struck straight ahead.  That told me the trail was heading for a house,” came the ready reply.

“A house.  Say, is there any other place up here but the old farm alongside the mill pond?  I don’t seem to remember any,” remarked Bobolink.

“And that’s just where I expect we’ll bring up sooner or later,” observed Paul.

“Then why not put for the old place at full speed right away?” suggested William, always impetuous.