"This is a pretty pickle!" exclaimed Bart, as he came to a halt in the
middle of the big field that stretched out behind the Masterson barn.
"They've beaten us all right enough. I wonder where they could have
taken Ned?"
"I guess it's up to us to find out," replied Fenn. "Come on. We haven't
half looked yet."
"Maybe that's just what they want us to do," put in Lem Gordon. "They
think we'll let the dinner slide."
"That's so," agreed Bart. "It's bad enough to have 'em take Ned, but that
shouldn't spoil the dinner completely. Let's go back, eat the grub, and
then continue the hunt for Ned. Besides maybe he'll get away from them.
He will if he has half a chance."
This plan of proceeding was talked over, and, though they all disliked
the idea of leaving Ned in the hands of the enemy, they felt it would be
the wisest move.
"Ned would want us to do it, if he were here," said Bart. "Let's go
back."
So the searching party went back, rather crestfallen, it is true, to
report failure to those left on guard. However, there was no help for it,
and the dinner had to be eaten without the presence of Ned, the
toastmaster.
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