Yes it's true he stayed behind that morning while others went on a long hike. A scout official stayed at camp as well. An intervening event happened before he wandered off, however. The hikers returned and they ALL ate lunch together. It was just as lunch time was ending that he walked away from camp. My impression was nobody was looking at him when he did that, or else they wouldn't have let him go even a short distance without a buddy and knowing where he was headed.
Thanks for your replys.