Trouble was busy just then, playing in the sand on the shore of Clover
Lake, while Mrs. Martin and Nora were clearing away the breakfast
things. Grandpa Martin was raking up around the tents, so no one saw
the Curlytops slip away.
"Which way are you going?" asked Jan of her brother.
"Over to the spring."
"What for? To get more water? Where's your pail?"
"I don't have to get water yet," answered Ted. "I'm going to the
spring to look to see if I can tell which way that tramp went. Don't
you know how Indians do--look at the leaves and grass in the woods,
and they can tell by the marks which way anybody went? Mother read us
a story once like that."
"I don't like Indians," remarked Jan somewhat shortly, half turning
back.
"Oh, there's no Indians!" exclaimed Ted impatiently. "I was only
sayin' what they did. Come on!"
So Jan followed her brother, though she was a little bit afraid.
However, she saw nothing to frighten her, and it was nice in the
woods. The wind was blowing through the trees, the birds were singing
and it was cool and pleasant. The Curlytops soon came to the spring
where Trouble had fallen in.
"Now we must look all around," declared Teddy.
"What for?" his sister demanded again.
"To tell which way the tramp-man went. Then we can find his cave."
"Maybe he lives in a wagon or a tent.
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