relieved vein in his voice.

"Well, tramps nearly always stick close to the railroads, you know,"
the other observed with the air of one who had made it a point to
take note of such happenings; "and besides, what hobo would think
of wandering away up here so far from a base of supplies? But we
can settle all that easy enough, Bud."

"By going on and breaking in on him, you mean?" questioned the other
eagerly.

"Yes, though perhaps first of all we'd do well to creep up and take
a look in at that opening. A scout should be sure of his ground
before he takes a leap. It isn't always so easy to go back again."

"All right, Hugh, let's start right in and have a squint at him.
Seems to me I get a whiff of cooking, don't you?"

"Yes, I noticed that, Bud; and also that he's got a fire burning in
there. You can see it flicker, and that wouldn't happen if the
light came from a lantern, or even from a torch."

"Smells good, too. That fellow knows how to cook, whoever he is,"
remarked the other scout, sniffing eagerly at the air as he spoke.
Hours had passed since dinner-time and they had had a hard tramp.

They advanced quickly though cautiously. Their hearts were beating
faster than usual, perhaps because they had been carrying heavy
loads. Then again there was a chance that the moment's excitement
had considerable to do with the quickening of their pulses.