CHAPTER VIII

LAST DAYS ON THE FARM

"I believe you are right," said Tom, after he, too, had looked over some of the bits of paper strewn around. "Here is the word 'box' and here is the word 'Saturday.'"

"Yes, and here are the words, 'fast freight,'" added Sam. "This was nothing more than a letter box for the freight thieves."

"But why was it placed here?" questioned Dick. "It's a very out-of-the-way place and hard to get to."

"Maybe somebody had to come this way," answered Tom. "See, here is something of a trail."

"Yes, and here are those same big footprints!" exclaimed Sam. "For all we know they may lead to some house or hut on the mountainside."

Having picked up the majority of the bits of paper and put them in their pockets for future examination, the three Rover boys followed the path or trail they had discovered. It led along the mountainside to where there was a small clearing, backed up by a series of rocks from which a spring gushed forth, sparkling brightly in the sunshine.

"I'd like to get another drink," said Sam; "I am terribly thirsty to-day."

"Wait!" warned Dick, and caught his youngest brother by the arm.

"What's up, Dick?"

"I see a log cabin--over yonder, among the trees."

"Yes, and I see Dangler!" yelled Tom, suddenly. "There he goes, with a big bundle over his shoulder!" And he pointed to the rear of the log cabin. A man was just disappearing behind a fringe of brushwood. The bundle he carried appeared to be tied up in a horse blanket. He was running as hard as he could.

1. What did the boys find?
2. Were the letters intact?
3. How many words did Tom say he found?
4. What about Sam?
5. How many boys were there?
6. What did they find next?
7. What did Sam see on the ground?
8. Were they small?
9. Did they take the papers with them?
10. Where did they think they might end up?
11. Who wanted water?
12. From what?
13. What did Dick notice?
14. Who did they see?
15. Was he walking somewhere?
16. What was he carrying?
17. Was it a cloudy day?
18. Who was the youngest?
19. Were the letters found in a popular place?
20. Where was the spring located?
1. a letter box
2. no
3. Two
4. Two
5. Three
6. a trail.
7. footprints
8. no
9. The majority
10. some house or hut
11. Sam
12. a spring
13. a log cabin
14. Dangler
15. no
16. a big bundle
17. no
18. Unknown
19. No
20. a small clearing