indifferently. "You know, they said our canoes couldn't sink, because
they've got air tanks fitted away up in the bow and back in the stern.
All we'd have to do would be to lash ourselves to 'em with pieces of
that rope, and float along till we got opposite Carson, when we'd yell
for help. Yes, Owen was right; that rope might come in handy one way or
another, yet."

"For shame, Steve," called out Max; "trying to mike Bandy-legs nervous
again. There never was a flood at this time of year, take my word for
it. But we'll try and make ourselves as secure as we can, with our
canoes in the bargain; because, if those Shafters did take it into their
heads to raid us tonight, we want to be ready for them."

And it was with that idea in mind that the campers busied themselves for
half an hour or so before the time they had set for crawling under their
blankets, and "wooing the moose," as Bandy-legs put it, meaning to cast
a sly reflection on the well-known habit Steve had of snoring in his
sleep when lying on his back.




CHAPTER XI.

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE SECOND NIGHT.


"Owen, Owen, wake up!"

When Bandy-legs dug his elbow into the side of his sleeping chum, and