There were many of the boys who thought that there were some of their
number who were just mean enough, but no one was accused, the matter
being too serious an affair for one to make charges unless they
could be proved conclusively.

"Did you see which way the rascals went, J.W.?" asked Percival when
the three were quite alone. "That might tell us something."

"Well, you know that it is dark along shore, Dick," returned young
Smith, "and they made very little noise. They started to run the
minute I spoke, and when I turned the light on them they were going
pretty fast. All I could tell was that they were big boys, but I
could not say now just which way they went, it was so dark."

"Well, they won't try it again, that is certain, but it may come to
having a regular guard at night, and none of the boys will like that."

"I told Buck and the others that I would give them a dollar apiece to
keep watch to-night, Dick."

Both Jack and Dick laughed at the young fellow's earnestness, and
Jack said pleasantly:

"That was kind of you, J.W., but I don't think it will be necessary
to-night. Besides, if any one pays the men to keep watch it should
be myself, and not you, old chap."

"Imagine Pete Herring and fellows like that offering to pay men for
watching another boy's boat!" sputtered Percival "I see them doing it!"