"It's pretty dark under these trees." "So it is." "Do you know which is west, now that the sun has gone under a cloud?" went on Mark seriously. "The west? Why--er--the west is--let me see----" Bob looked around in bewilderment. "Hang me if I know where the west is!" he ejaculated. "And I am in the same fix." "That's bad, Mark. Let us go back!" "I am willing, but where is the trail we were following?" "I think--let me see--we came around those vines from--No, we didn't--we----" "Don't you know for certain?" "No. Do you?" "I do not." "Jerusalem! We are lost!" "Exactly what I think." CHAPTER XIV THE STEALING OF THE OUTFIT Si drove Darling and the outfit down to the ford of the river, and there waited for the return of his two partners. Maybe Dixon was with him and the Socket family were close behind. "When do you expect the boys back?" asked Josiah Socket, as he drove up and allowed his horses to drink before crossing. "I suppose they will be along before a great while," answered the former farm lad. "I hope they shoot something wuth shooting," put in Maybe Dixon. "There ought to be some game in that big woods," came from Mrs. Socket. "But they have got to know how to handle a gun. Now Josiah can't shoot fer shucks. Once he went after some rabbits and----" "I can shoot," interrupted Josiah. "But I don't care much for the sport. Well, I'm a-goin' on," he continued, and commenced the task of reaching the other side of the stream. Soon he was on the other bank and out of sight behind some tall brushwood. Si watered the mule and unhooked him and then sat down on a grassy bank to rest. Maybe Dixon filled a pipe and fell to smoking. As the pair sat there they did not notice the arrival of two men on foot at the ford. But the new arrivals saw Dixon and the former farm youth, and one quickly pulled the other out of sight behind some trees. "What is it, Sag?" asked one of the men. "Spotted some of your enemies?" "Yes," answered Sag Ruff. "That man yonder, Soapy, is Maybe Dixon." "Shoo! you don't say," returned Soapy Gannon, softly. "I reckon you don't want to meet him." "I do not." "Is that the boy who exposed you?" "No, it's one of his partners. There are three of them. The other two ought to be around somewhere." "Wouldn't you like to meet that lad who got you into trouble?" "Would I?" Sag Ruff's brow grew dark. "Try me and see; that's all, Soapy!" After that the pair walked behind the trees and drew still closer to where Si and Dixon sat. They listened to the talk of our friends and presently learned the truth of the situation. Then they heard Maybe Dixon say he would walk into the forest and see if he could find Bob and Mark. "All right, go ahead," answered Si. "I'll wait right here for you." Dixon strolled off and was soon lost to view. Si, left to himself, leaned up against a convenient tree. His eyes closed, and soon he was in the land of dreams.