"You see, the Chief---that's what we call our Scout Master---was
called back to New York on business for a few days, perhaps a week;
so he left Arthur and me at Tom's farm, because it's only about
five miles from Pioneer Camp. And when your mother telephoned
to Tom, saying that you hadn't turned up all day, Ralph, and that
she feared something terrible had happened to you, we insisted on
going with Tom to look for you. But Tom said-----"

"I said she oughtn't to stay in the house all alone to-night,"
Tom put in readily, "so I told Arthur to stay with her until Doctor
Kane showed up. I knowed it was his day to call at your house. See?"

"Yes, yes; I understand," Ralph replied in a shaky voice. "It's
mighty good of you all to take so much trouble."

"Tush! 'Taint no trouble, lad! Why, anybody wouldn't refuse to do
sech a small favor for your ma. Even Bill Terrill---he dropped in
at your place to-day---even that cuss offered to go out and find you \
when he heard the news from her."

"Terrill! What was he doing at the farm to-day?"

"He drove over with ol' Si Perkins and two other wise guys, to get
permission from your ma to------"

"Oh, I know! I know what they want!" exclaimed Ralph. "The mean,
cowardly sneaks! They shan't bully mother into letting them
survey our land, on the faked excuse that the survey dad had made
isn't correct."