of the stuff along, had to sleep in the other, wasn't that it?" remarked
Owen, as he got on his feet, and stretched himself, as though a little
cramped from sitting so long in one position.

"J-j-just w-w-what it was," Toby replied.

"That makes three of us in our tent, don't it?" said Bandy-legs, as if
relieved to know that he would have a companion on either side, for at
such times there is safety in numbers.

"Yes, and if that panther does come, he'll have some trouble picking you
out in the crowd," jeered Steve.

"That's mean, Steve," declared Max, who saw that Bandy-legs was really
concerned, and also remembered that in times gone by the other had
spoken more than once of the strange fear he from childhood had
entertained for cats of all kinds, while accustomed to playing with
every species of dog known to lads.

"Oh! I take it back," quickly responded Steve, who could say sharp
things, and then be sorry the minute afterwards.

Of course, having had considerable experience by now, all the boys knew
just how to go to work in order to make themselves comfortable, with
only a thick camping blanket to serve as a bed.

Max had long ago showed the greenhorns how to fold this, so that while
one part lay between their bodies and the ground, they would have
several thicknesses over them, to be pulled up as the night grew cooler.
Besides, each boy had a rubber poncho in which the blanket could be