All were hungry as well as cold, and the idea of a meal appealed to them strongly. Snap led the way through the low brushwood in the direction of the camp-fire, which was burning under a series of overhanging rocks. "Let me see what sort of a place it is first," warned Snap, as they drew closer. "We don't want to run into any tramps or worse." Nobody appeared to be around the camp-fire, which was burning brightly in spite of the rain and wind. It was a well-sheltered spot, and in the rocks was a hollowed-out place, against which leaned some split logs, forming a rude shack. Catching up a firebrand, Snap gazed into the shack. He gave a good look and then came outside and held up his hand for silence. "I've made a discovery," he whispered, excitedly. "What?" asked the others. "Do you remember that negro who stole Pop Lundy's watch?" "Yes." "Well, he is in there, fast asleep!" "That rascal!" cried Shep. "Are you sure?" "Look for yourselves." They did so and saw that it was the same colored man beyond the shadow of a doubt. He rested on a couch of pine boughs, flat on his back and snoring lustily. He was evidently the only occupant of the camp. "Look there!" whispered Giant, pointing to a tin can that had had some condensed milk in it. "That looks like our stuff!" "Look at the clay pipe," put in Whopper. "Do you know what I think?" "He is the rascal who looted our camp?" "Yes; and maybe he is the fellow who looted the Spink camp, too." "Let us make him a prisoner!" All were willing, and they looked around for a rope. "Here is his horse-pistol," said Snap, picking it up. "I think I'll keep it for the present." A rope happened to be handy, and with great care they fastened one end around the negro's right wrist. Then they brought that hand over to the other and tied the two together. With another piece of the, rope they tied one ankle fast to the other. The job was just finished when the negro awoke in a lazy sort of way. He stared stupidly at the young hunters and then his eyes opened widely and he sat bolt upright. "Wha-what's dis?" he stammered. "Whar did yo' cum from?" "Stay where you are," ordered Snap, sternly, and flourished the horse-pistol. "Do-doan yo' shoot me!" cried the negro. "Then stay right where you are. If you try to get up this pistol may go off." "Has yo' been a-follerin' me?" "Never mind. We have found you and you are our prisoner," put in Shep. "Huh! Does yo' t'ink I'se afraid ob foah boys!" "Well, do you want to be shot?" asked Snap, holding the pistol on a level with the colored man's head. "Stop!" screamed the rascal. "Don't do dat! It might go off!" "Then you keep quiet." "What have you done with Simon Lundy's gold watch?" asked Giant. "Don't know nuffin' about any gold watch." "Yes, you do. You took it---there is no use of your denying it," came from Shep. "Is dat man around?" asked the colored rascal, suspiciously.