Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.  
A strong light seemed to be shining through a screen. At first it was , its appearance preventing them from guessing its nature. While they stood silent, wondering and frightened, on the point of retreating, the shadow of a person in front of the light. It was and gigantic, and flitted across their field of vision, disappearing as quickly as it had come to view. The next moment some one was seen holding a lamp in his hand and peering out in the gloom.
 
Then the whole explanation broke upon them. They had come upon a tent in the wood, the light shining through the canvas and producing the effect which first puzzled them. The person inside passed between them and the lamp, so that his shadow was flung on the screen in front. Then he picked up the light, and pushing aside the flap, peered out in the gloom.
 
As he did so the glare from the lamp fell upon his face and showed his features so distinctly that both boys recognized him, and uttered an of and delight.
 
“Bob Budd, as I live! Why, you’re the very fellow we’re looking for!” called out Tom Wagstaff, as he and his companion hurried forward and greeted their friend, whose was equal to theirs when he held the light above his head and recognized them.
 
“Where under the sun did you come from?” he asked, all three walking into the tent after shaking hands, and seating themselves, while the host set the light on a small stand at one side.
 
“I didn’t expect you for a week or two,” added Bob, whose pleasure could not be .
 
“Well,” replied Jim, with a laugh, “we set out to surprise you, and I guess we succeeded.”
 
“There’s no doubt of that,” said Bob; “but tell me how you found the way to this spot.”
 
The visitors were not quite willing to give the whole truth, and Tom ventured the explanation.
 
“We came most of the way in the cars,” said he, “but got off at a little station a few miles out to tramp across the country, thinking we might pick up some game on the way. We didn’t make out very well, and rode to Black Bear Swamp in the stage. There we got out again and set out to find you.”
 
“How did you know where to look?”
 
“The driver told us you had a camp out this way somewhere, and we thought we might stumble over it.”
 
This was so brief in the way of details that the boys ran some risk of having it overturned when the account of the driver and his passenger should be heard, but fortunately for them, Durrell and Lenman forebore any references to the unworthy part played by the youths, and Bob Budd remained ignorant of the real cause of the flight of his friends, and their taking to the shelter of Black Bear Swamp.
 
“I’ve had the tent up for three days,” added the host, who was about the age of his guests, “and it’s so well stored with eatables and drinkables that I come out every night to take a look at it, so as to make sure no tramps or thieves are prowling around. I was about to go home when you hailed me. Shall we go to the house or stay here till morning?”
 
“I don’t see that this can be improved on,” replied Tom, looking admiringly about him; “we’re pretty well tuckered out, and I would as lief stay here till morning anyway.”
 
“Those are my sentiments,” added Jim, much pleased with the survey.
 
“Then we’ll stay,” said Bob; “I’m glad you’re suited. Where are your trunks?”
 
“At the station at Piketon.”
 
“I’ll send the checks over in the morning and have our man bring them here. I have my own gun and some things to bring from the house, and then we’ll be in shape for a good old time in the woods. I guess, boys, a little won’t hurt us.”
 
The liberality of Bob Budd’s Uncle Jim and Aunt Ruth, with whom he lived (he having no parents or other near relatives), enabled him to do about as he pleased, so far as his own pleasure and self-indulgence were concerned. He quickly set a substantial lunch before his guests, of which all partook. I am sorry to say that strong drink formed a large part of the repast, all indulging liberally, after which pipes and cigarettes were produced, and they discussed their plans of .
 
Wagstaff and McGovern did not hesitate to admit that they had run away from home for the purpose of having this outing. The fact that th............