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when we hiked to our campsite,” Henry said.
    Set far back in the thick clump of trees, the log house was easy to miss.
    â€œIt’s hard to see,” Violet said. “It blends into the woods so well.”
    â€œIt needs a white tail,” Benny joked.
    Henry started toward it. “Maybe whoever lives there saw Grandfather. Let’s ask.”
    Jessie hesitated. “That says ‘No Trespassing.’ ” She pointed to an old wooden sign.
    Just then a woman came out of the cabin door. She was tall and thin and she was frowning.
    â€œShe doesn’t look very friendly,” Benny whispered.
    Moving still closer, Henry called out, “Hello!”
    The woman put her hands on her hips and glowered at the children.
    â€œWe’re looking for our grandfather,” Henry told her. “We thought you might have seen him pass by.”
    â€œCan you read?” the woman asked.
    â€œWhy—uh— yes,” Henry said.
    â€œThen why don’t you?” she snapped. “ ‘No trespassing’ means no trespassing. ”
    â€œOh, we didn’t mean to break any rules,” Jessie explained. “We just thought—”
    The woman turned on her heel and went back inside the cabin.
    â€œShe certainly is unfriendly,” Henry said.
    â€œYou were right about that, Benny.”
    â€œCould that be Doris’s sister?” Violet wondered aloud.
    The others thought about that possibility.
    â€œGrandfather did say she lived in a cabin,’ Violet reminded them. “And she liked going off by herself.”
    The main path was full of puddles from the night’s rain. Along the sides, earth had been washed down into the gullies. The children picked their way along trying to avoid the mud and deep holes.
    The trail headed up the hill. Near the top, Watch pricked up his ears. He sniffed the air. For several seconds, he stood stone still. Suddenly, he broke into a run and disappeared over the crest of the hill.
    â€œWhat do you suppose he heard?” Violet wondered.
    â€œWhatever it is, he’s sure excited about it,” Henry said.
    â€œHe’s probably chasing an animal,” Benny offered.
    That worried Jessie. Watch was a brave dog, but he was no match for a cornered raccoon or some other wild animal. “Watch!” she called. “Come back!”
    Watch came running toward the children. He circled them, yapping excitedly. He took off again. Then he came galloping back to be sure they were following him.
    In the lead, Henry picked up his pace. “Come on,” he said. “Watch is trying to tell us something.”
    Forgetting the puddles and the mud, they all raced along the path. At the top of the hill, they looked for Watch. He seemed to have disappeared. But they could hear him barking.
    â€œWatch! Where are you?” Jessie called.
    Benny saw something move in the ravine below. He stepped to the edge of the path and looked down. “There he is!” he shouted. “And Grandfather is with him!”

CHAPTER 10
    Rescuing Grandfather
    â€œG randfather!” they all said at once.
    Mr. Alden was half sitting, half lying under a stone ledge at the bottom of the ravine. Watch stood beside him like a bank guard.
    â€œAre you all right?” Violet called.
    â€œI’m fine,” Mr. Alden assured them. “Except for my ankle. I twisted it when I fell.”
    Henry climbed down the steep slope. The other children followed.
    â€œBe careful,” Grandfather warned them. “It’s slippery.”
    â€œHow long have you been here, Grandfather?” Jessie asked.
    â€œAll night,” Mr. Alden replied.
    â€œWeren’t you scared?” Benny asked.
    â€œWell, Benny, I was a little nervous.” Then he said, “I don’t think I can put any weight on my ankle.”
    â€œYou can lean on us,” Violet said.
    Henry slipped Mr. Alden’s arm around his neck. “That’s right,