# Stolen Supplies explained — The Secret of the Caves > Chapter companion for The Secret of the Caves by Franklin W. Dixon. ## What happens The boys search frantically for Frank after his fall into a pit, but find no trace. They decide to build a bonfire for better light, only to discover that most of their supplies have been stolen, likely by the mysterious intruder. Despite the loss, they prioritize rescuing Frank. ## Themes in this chapter ### Persistence and Determination Despite the danger and lack of light, Joe and the others refuse to give up searching for Frank. ### Danger and Peril The boys face the threat of deep pits, darkness, and the theft of their supplies, heightening the sense of peril. ## Character check-ins ### Joe Hardy Leads the search for Frank, expresses fear and determination, discovers the stolen supplies. ### Biff Hooper Suggests building a fire to light the cave, helps search and confirms the theft. ### Chet Morton Voices worry about Frank's fate and the loss of food, participates in the search. ### Frank Hardy Missing after falling into a pit; the focus of the rescue efforts. ## Key lines > He must have fallen down one of these holes, that's certain... Why doesn't he call back then? Joe is sure Frank fell into a pit, but Biff questions why there's no response. _Highlights the boys' growing fear as they fail to locate Frank._ > Let's build a fire. It might light up the cave enough to show us what we are doing. Biff suggests using a bonfire to illuminate the cave for a better search. _Shows the boys' resourcefulness in the face of inadequate equipment._ > They've been stolen! Biff exclaims that their supplies are missing after they return from gathering wood. _Reveals the theft that compounds their troubles._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/xiii-stolen-supplies - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters