"Supposing I swim it ?" he continued.
"No, don't bother, Sam," replied Dick.

"We'll all go around by way of the ford.

You can't do anything alone anyway." "But I might make sure if it was the machine," insisted Sam.
"Never mind; we want to get over there anyway--to continue the search--if that isn't the machine." Again Peter Marley led the way, along a trail that ran past the old mill.

The boys came close at his heels, and as they advanced Tom questioned the farmer concerning the place.
"It belongs to a lumber company, but it's been closed up fer years," said Peter Marley.

"Once in a while tramps hang out there, but thet's all." Presently they found themselves close to the mill, which was almost ready to fall down from disuse and neglect.