by Quincy Allen
CHAPTER IX--GUARDIANS OF THE CAMP
"Do you believe they mean to land here?" asked Will, his voice tremblinga bit.
"I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the oldboat's moving on. They'll land, all right, and try some game on usto-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward asif meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.
Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though,like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easilybecame repentant.
"But perhaps they're only down here for a row; or, it may happen thatthey mean to get a mess of those fine perch," suggested Will.
"Perhaps, but all the same, I saw that old tent of theirs sticking up inthe bow of the boat," declared Bluff, positively.
"Oh! then that settles it. Well, it looks as though we might have alively enough time of it, after all. What with the wild man, those twothievish tramps, the wildcats that live on the island, and now, last butnot least, the Pet Peters crowd that used to train with Andy Lasher. Canwe ever go anywhere and be let alone?" complained Will, who loved peaceabove all things.
"Well, I don't mind it much. We came out for some excitement, and itlooks as if we were going to get our fill," said Bluff, who was builtmore upon the adventurous model than his companion.
They watched the boat as long as it remained in sight.
"Seemed to me they were heading in for the shore just before theydisappeared," suggested Bluff, finally, as he turned and looked at hismate.
"I admit that it looked that way to me. Then we might as well take itfor granted that they're going to make camp on the island. I wonder----"mused Will, fingering his pet camera reflectively.
"What now?" demanded the other suspiciously.
"The idea struck me that perhaps I might creep close enough to theircamp to get a snapshot. You know those I have of that crowd are insections, either running away, or doing some sort of stunt. I'd like tohave one that showed them up seated around their fire, and planningmischief."
"You'll do nothing of the sort, my lad, at least not while I'm left incharge of the camp. What sort of fellow are you, anyway? You profess tobe afraid of the crazy man that is said to be on this island, and youknow those brutes yonder would be only too glad to beat you up if youfell into their hands; yet you propose spying on them without a thoughtof the danger."
"Oh! but that was to get a picture, you see," explained Will, as thoughsuch a laudable motive might be sufficient to make any one valiant.
Bluff looked at him, and shook his head.
"They'll sure have you over in that sanitarium at Merrick, before long,for you show all the signs of getting looney. I tell you what I'm goingto do," he said.
"Well, go on. You're hardly complimentary, you know; but I consider thesource."
"While you remain here, I'm going to climb up to the top of this bluff.Perhaps I can get a sight of their landing-place. It may even be that Ishall discover signs of our two pards making their weary way around theend of the island, yonder."
"And if there is a good chance for a view, call me up with my camera,will you?"
"Sure. You settle down here. I'll take the gun along. I can defend thecamp just as well up there as below. Don't worry about that, my boy."
And Bluff started off.
When he reached the top of the abrupt rise he did have a splendid viewof the lake and the distant shore, but could see little of the island.
"No good for taking pictures, pard. Just you stay down there, and I'lljoin you after I've looked through my marine glasses a little," hecalled down.
Frank had brought along a good pair of glasses belonging to his father;and with these Bluff now scanned the shore line as far as he could seeit. He was in hopes of discovering some sign of the two explorers aroundthe point; or possibly locating the camp of the Peters crowd.
The big rowboat he did see on the beach, and there were signs of smokeamong the trees close by, so that he decided where the town bully andhis followers had taken up their temporary quarters.
"Wonder if they dare attack us in the night?" was what Bluff was sayingto himself as he once more commenced to descend the bluff.
His mind went back to their previous experiences with these same boys.The rowdies had tried to burn their camp; they had stolen whatever theycould lay hands on, and made themselves disagreeable until theconversion of their leader, at that time Andy Lasher, by Jerry, who hadsaved his life when he was caught under a fallen tree, had changed thecomplexion of things.
Under the rule of the new leader, Pet Peters, these fellows would beequal to any deed of misconduct just so far as they dared. The fact thatthe four chums never went into camp without guns of some sort might makethem cautious; but that would be the only thing.
Will bombarded him with questions when he came down.
"Did you see Frank and Jerry?--was the camp of those fellows insight?--could I get any sort of picture, if I climbed up?" so he went onuntil Bluff called a halt.
"Nothing doing at all. Just stay here where you're well off. We've gotour hands full to guard this camp. I'm wondering what keeps the boys solong, that's all," he said.
But the minutes lengthened into hours and still there were no signs ofthe explorers. Bluff and Will started to get supper ready. Neither ofthem felt very gay, for a shadow seemed to be resting upon the camp.
The sun had set behind the mountains in the west, and with the gatheringof the dusk their fears increased.
"Something dreadful must have happened to them," said Will, lookingalarmed.
Bluff tried to laugh it off, saying:
"Humbug! What could happen to those two chaps? They're up in all thatpertains to the forest, and they've got a gun along, too. It's you and Ithat may well be called the babes in the woods. We know precious littlebetween us; but you just bet nobody can give us points on how to cookrice."
But Will was too much worried to even show signs of anger or reproach.
"What if they don't come at all? What if both fellows disappearmysteriously as if they were swallowed up in the earth? We'll feelpretty tough telling their parents the sad news. I kind of wish now wehadn't come," he remarked dolefully.
"Just let up on that tune, will you? Think of the pictures you havealready secured, and the others coming. Why, the boys might have beendelayed by a dozen things. Make up your mind they're all right and willpop in on us at any minute."
But despite Bluff's attempt to cheer his mate up, Will kept watching thebushes in the light of the rousing fire they kept going, as if hopingagainst hope that his prediction of evil might not be fulfilled.
They waited until the supper began to get cold.
"We'll have to eat by ourselves, I reckon, partner. Those other chapshave given us the cold shake for just now. But they'll be along afterawhile, never fear," said Bluff, putting on a bold face, even while hisheart was troubled.
Will was seriously alarmed, but he tried not to show it, out of pride.So there the two poor fellows sat as the time passed, trying to assume anonchalance that neither of them really felt.
Twice they started up as some sound arose to startle them. Once it was ashrill cry from the neighboring woods, and Bluff laughed to recognizethe solemn "whoo-whoo" of an owl; the other time it was some equallyharmless source from which the alarming sound sprung.
The idea of spending the night by themselves was far from pleasant.Neither of them wanted to sit up, and yet they dared not lie down andtry to sleep.
"This isn't so very much fun," grumbled Bluff, as he held on to the gunand continued to stare about him at the changing shadows that seemed toflutter around the outskirts of the camp.
It had been a question of dispute between them as to whether they shouldkeep up a good fire or allow it to dwindle down. Will was for having aroaring blaze that would serve to warn all evildoers and trespassersthat they were awake and on the watch. On his part Bluff declared itwould draw trouble; so they compromised by allowin
g the fire to diepartly down.
"Say, it must be getting awful late," remarked Will, stifling a yawn.
"Why don't you lie down and get some sleep, then?" expostulated theother; "I'll stand guard, and nothing is going to happen."
"Of course not, but you see I know I couldn't sleep a wink thinkingabout those two poor fellows, and wondering what has happened. Do yousuppose they could be drowned, Bluff?" asked Will, in an awe-struckvoice.
"Aw, get out with your gloomy ideas. Drowned--those fellows drowned--noton your life. They have some good reason for not showing up. I don'tknow what it is, but you'll see when they do come. Don't get timid,Will."
"Timid! Who's showing the white feather, I'd like to know. Why, I'm notafraid of anything that could happen here. You never saw me shake unlessit was with the cold. What is there to fear, after all? Just lie down ifyou feel like it, and---- What's that?"
Will gave vent to a half-muffled yell when a sudden vivid flashdispelled the darkness around them, as if lightning had cut the gloom ofnight.
