Chapter IX: Guardians of the Camp

"Do you believe they mean to land here?" asked Will, his voice trembling a bit.

"I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on. They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if 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 easily became repentant.

"But perhaps they're only down here for a row; or, it may happen that they 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 in the bow of the boat," declared Bluff, positively.

"Oh! then that settles it. Well, it looks as though we might have a lively enough time of it, after all. What with the wild man, those two thievish tramps, the wildcats that live on the island, and now, last but not least, the Pet Peters crowd that used to train with Andy Lasher. Can we ever go anywhere and be let alone?" complained Will, who loved peace above all things.

"Well, I don't mind it much. We came out for some excitement, and it looks as if we were going to get our fill," said Bluff, who was built more 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 they disappeared," suggested Bluff, finally, as he turned and looked at his mate.

"I admit that it looked that way to me. Then we might as well take it for 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 their camp to get a snapshot. You know those I have of that crowd are in sections, either running away, or doing some sort of stunt. I'd like to have one that showed them up seated around their fire, and planning mischief."

"You'll do nothing of the sort, my lad, at least not while I'm left in charge of the camp. What sort of fellow are you, anyway? You profess to be afraid of the crazy man that is said to be on this island, and you know those brutes yonder would be only too glad to beat you up if you fell into their hands; yet you propose spying on them without a thought of the danger."

"Oh! but that was to get a picture, you see," explained Will, as though such 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 going to do," he said.

"Well, go on. You're hardly complimentary, you know; but I consider the source."

"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 I shall discover signs of our two pards making their weary way around the end 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 the camp 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 view of 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'll join you after I've looked through my marine glasses a little," he called 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 see it. He was in hopes of discovering some sign of the two explorers around the point; or possibly locating the camp of the Peters crowd.

The big rowboat he did see on the beach, and there were signs of smoke among the trees close by, so that he decided where the town bully and his followers had taken up their temporary quarters.

"Wonder if they dare attack us in the night?" was what Bluff was saying to 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 they could lay hands on, and made themselves disagreeable until the conversion of their leader, at that time Andy Lasher, by Jerry, who had saved his life when he was caught under a fallen tree, had changed the complexion of things.

Under the rule of the new leader, Pet Peters, these fellows would be equal to any deed of misconduct just so far as they dared. The fact that the four chums never went into camp without guns of some sort might make them 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 in sight?--could I get any sort of picture, if I climbed up?" so he went on until Bluff called a halt.

"Nothing doing at all. Just stay here where you're well off. We've got our hands full to guard this camp. I'm wondering what keeps the boys so long, that's all," he said.

But the minutes lengthened into hours and still there were no signs of the explorers. Bluff and Will started to get supper ready. Neither of them 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 gathering of the dusk their fears increased.

"Something dreadful must have happened to them," said Will, looking alarmed.

Bluff tried to laugh it off, saying:

"Humbug! What could happen to those two chaps? They're up in all that pertains to the forest, and they've got a gun along, too. It's you and I that may well be called the babes in the woods. We know precious little between us; but you just bet nobody can give us points on how to cook rice."

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 disappear mysteriously as if they were swallowed up in the earth? We'll feel pretty tough telling their parents the sad news. I kind of wish now we hadn't come," he remarked dolefully.

"Just let up on that tune, will you? Think of the pictures you have already secured, and the others coming. Why, the boys might have been delayed by a dozen things. Make up your mind they're all right and will pop in on us at any minute."

But despite Bluff's attempt to cheer his mate up, Will kept watching the bushes in the light of the rousing fire they kept going, as if hoping against 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 chaps have given us the cold shake for just now. But they'll be along after awhile, never fear," said Bluff, putting on a bold face, even while his heart 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 a nonchalance that neither of them really felt.

Twice they started up as some sound arose to startle them. Once it was a shrill cry from the neighboring woods, and Bluff laughed to recognize the solemn "whoo-whoo" of an owl; the other time it was some equally harmless 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 and try to sleep.

"This isn't so very much fun," grumbled Bluff, as he held on to the gun and continued to stare about him at the changing shadows that seemed to flutter around the outskirts of the camp.

It had been a question of dispute between them as to whether they should keep up a good fire or allow it to dwindle down. Will was for having a roaring blaze that would serve to warn all evildoers and trespassers that they were awake and on the watch. On his part Bluff declared it would draw trouble; so they compromised by allowing the fire to die partly 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 the other; "I'll stand guard, and nothing is going to happen."

"Of course not, but you see I know I couldn't sleep a wink thinking about those two poor fellows, and wondering what has happened. Do you suppose they could be drowned, Bluff?" asked Will, in an awe-struck voice.

"Aw, get out with your gloomy ideas. Drowned--those fellows drowned--not on your life. They have some good reason for not showing up. I don't know 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 not afraid of anything that could happen here. You never saw me shake unless it was with the cold. What is there to fear, after all? Just lie down if you feel like it, and---- What's that?"

Will gave vent to a half-muffled yell when a sudden vivid flash dispelled the darkness around them, as if lightning had cut the gloom of night.