"In the fire?" shouted Tad.

"Of course. How do you expect I cooked it?" demanded the boy
irritably. "I cooked it in the fire."

"I could do better'n that myself," muttered Stacy.

"Didn't you use the spider?" asked Walter.

"Spider? No. I didn't know you used a spider. Do you?"

"He cooked it in the fire," groaned Tad.

"Peculiar, very peculiar to say the least," decided the Professor
grimly. "Gives it that peculiar sooty flavor, common to smoked ham I
think we shall have to elect a new cook if you cannot do better than
that. However, we'll manage to get along very well with this
meal. If we have to get others we will hold a consultation as to the
latest and most approved methods of doing so," he added, amid a
general laugh at Ned's expense.

Breakfast over, blankets were rolled and packed on the ponies. About
nine o'clock the Pony Riders set out for the foothills, after first
having consulted their compasses and decided upon the course they
were to follow to reach the point, some fifteen miles distant, where
they expected to pick up the guide.

"Seems good to be in the saddle once more, doesn't it?" smiled
Walter, after they had gotten well under way.