and stacked up with heaps and heaps of good things? Seems to me,
Giraffe, you've gone and wasted your talent on the wrong thing. What
good is it ever agoing to do you, to pretend to tell what sort of
weather we'll get next week, when it's only a guess after all? Better
make a change, and predict famines and such things, so we can take the
alarm, and buy out some country grocery."

Giraffe had not one word to say in reply. He must have recognized the
force of Bumpus' philosophy, and wished in his heart he had been gifted
with the spirit of prophecy, so that he might have given warning in due
time as to the need of replenishing their stock of provisions.

The conversation ran on, other subjects being taken up. Giraffe wanted
to know what kept Thad away so long, and was told that the scout-master
had concluded to take a little look around.

At that the other suggested that perhaps he too might stretch his legs;
whereupon Allan informed him that he was under orders to keep them all
close to the ledge under which they had found shelter; and that Thad had
told him no one must be allowed to stray away a single yard.

After that the boys did not talk quite so volubly; possibly some
suspicion may have entered their minds that perhaps things were not
quite so peaceful as they appeared on the surface; and that Thad might
know of some reason for expecting a new batch of troubles to descend
upon them.

Allan kept sitting there, gun in hand. He was waiting to receive some
sort of sign from Thad, to tell him his presence was desired once again
out there beside the tree where they had previously conferred.