In several cases his cousin was able to decide without any consideration, for the boys had thrust in a number of things that, so far, they had found no need for, and probably might not use at all. Some of these had associations that they hated to break; but it seemed absolutely necessary to reduce the stock they carried. And so Dick would grimly nod his head, and say: "Throw it aside, Roger; no use talking, it's got to go. Our horses couldn't undertake to carry us and all this stuff, too. But I tell you what we might do with it, and take a chance of getting it back some time." "You must mean _cache_ it, like the trappers do some of their pelts, when they have more than they can carry, and mean to come back after the rest at some future time; is that it, Dick?" "Just what I meant," the other replied. "You see, we can do up the lot inside this old tent, and find a hollow tree to hide it in." "Close by the river, you mean, of course," added Roger, eagerly; for anything like this always appealed to him. "Yes, so that, when we come down again, we can look for the mark we'll remember, and which may be a crooked tree bending over the water, or something like that. Then we could come ashore to get the package, if we're drifting in a boat, as may be the case. Captain Lewis might want to buy our horses, you know, if he has lost a number of his animals through wild beasts, and thieving Indians." "But let's be sure the hole in the tree is a _small_ one," observed Roger, turning a laughing face on his cousin. "We will, you can be sure of that," the other assured him; "because, they tell me that bears are apt to make their dens in some of these hollow trees; and we don't want our traps to be used for a bed quilt." So they sorted all the stuff over; and it was wonderful how little they deemed indispensable. Friends had brought so many things as presents for the adventurous boys, when they learned of the long journey which they projected, that there were numerous duplicates in their outfit, such as frying-pans, kettles and even blankets. Finally the task was completed, and the tight bundle tied with cords, so that it could be stowed away in some secret hiding-place, when they discovered one that seemed to suit their ideas. After that the forward march was resumed, though they made certain to keep close to the bank of the river. Before they left the spot Roger was seen to once more bend over that imprint of a moccasin, as though examining it. "What new idea has struck you?" asked his cousin, watching him closely. "You may say it is foolish," replied the other, "but, do you know, Dick, I was wondering whether this might not have been either François Lascelles, or his son, who had stolen our horse, thinking to cripple us, and in that way keep us from overtaking the expedition of Captain Lewis." The suggestion caused Dick to knit his brows, but he quickly shook his head.