As they sat about the blaze after breakfast, laying out plans for the day, the sound of a horse’s neigh startled them.

“It’s the sheriff, I reckon,” said Jerry, as they jumped up.

And he had guessed correctly, for presently they saw a horseman appear, and as he came up he waved his hand in greeting.

“Sorry, boys, but I’ve got some bad news for you,” he said.

“Anybody dead, or sick?” asked Frank, turning a bit pale.

“Oh, no, nothing of that sort, I’m glad to say.  This concerns you fellows only?” was the quick reply of Mr. Dodd, the sheriff.

The four boys looked at one another with alarm.

“I bet I know what it is—­the Head has concluded to start the school up under half a roof, and wants us to come back right away!” said Will, mournfully.

Mr. Dodd laughed aloud.

“Hit it the first slat out of the box, Will.  And you’ve got to report to-morrow morning, so you must go back to-day sure.  I saw some of your fathers, and they say the same, so there’s no escape.  Sorry to bring you bad news; but looks like you’ve been doing your share of game-getting in the short time you were here,” nodding toward the bear that was hanging up, and the deerskin, as well as the pelt of the invading wildcat.

“Well, it’s hard lines, sir, but I suppose we have to obey.  But get off and have breakfast.  Toby just loves to cook, you know.  There’s plenty of coffee left, and you can have your choice of bear steak, or venison,” said Jerry, hospitably.

So the sheriff made himself at home.  He even assisted the boys get their things together preparatory to moving back to town, before riding on further.

The motor-cycles had been securely packed away under the big fly all this time, and had not suffered at all from the rain.  Indeed, the boys took good care to keep them well oiled, knowing the benefit of having such valuable pieces of mechanism in first-class order at all times.

Jerry went over to the farmer’s and secured the horses and wagon.  Then the work of dismantling Kamp Kill Kare began.  They tried to appear gay, but every one of the boys had become attached to the place during their short stay, and felt badly over leaving these scenes with so much undone that they had planned for.

“Never mind, fellows, we’re going to come again and again.  This first camp of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club isn’t going to be the last, by any means.  And I guess we’ve learned a good many things on this trip,” sang out Jerry, cheerily.

“That’s true every day, with all of us.  I’m learning all the time.  And next year when we get under canvas we will have a lot of pleasant memories to look back to.  Why, with Will’s pictures to help out, the winter will be a constant feast of stories about the things that have happened to us up here,” remarked Frank.

“I’d like to have seen more of old Jesse.  He’s just chock full of woods lore, and can give you all the points you want about animals and such.  How are things getting on out there, fellows?  Is the wagon pretty well loaded?” asked Jerry.