gave George, as spokesman of the 

 boys, an opportunity to back out 

 last night. He knew that it could 

 not be done and did not say so. 

 Now they can take their medicine." 



"But " 



"This is no time for 'buts," he 

 called as he started back on the 

 trail, limping sadly. 



"Bobbie, Bobbie, you will hurt 

 yourself. Comeback!" 



Too late, the irate Bobbie dis- 

 appeared and Nimrod followed, stay- 

 ing only long enough to light a fire 

 for us. It had to be a tiny fire in 

 the trail, as there was not a foot's 

 space clear from logs and trees; 

 and Sally and I were left to await 

 developments. 



It seemed a long time, we were 

 hungry and cold and depressed with 

 a sense of foreboding. At last the 

 Cook appeared, empty-handed. He 

 limped along slowly and sat down 

 on a log with his back to us. He 

 said never a word, but the fact that 

 he had "struck" was apparent in 

 every line of him. 



Next came Arthur. He flung his 

 pack upon the ground and sat upon it. 



