"A signal!" echoed Bumpus, in almost an awed tone; "that sounds like
there might be smugglers, or something, like that around here; and
perhaps they take us for revenue officers trying to nip them at their
work. Whew! spells more trouble for us, I'm afraid. First the storm;
then that awful spell of gone feeling; and now it's smugglers. Whew! I
say!"




CHAPTER IX

"BE PREPARED!"


Bumpus was not the only fellow who felt his heart beating much faster
than its wont just then, though none of the others betrayed the fact;
for Giraffe and Step Hen were too crafty to show that they were worried.

They seemed to be in a trap, for the heavy seas would not allow them to
think of leaving their anchorage until morning came along, at least; and
to remain might be exposing themselves to some unknown peril.

But then these lads had done through so many things, especially since
they joined the Cranford Troop of Boy Scouts, and learned what it meant
to think for themselves, that none of them really displayed the white
feather, no matter if Bumpus, who loved peace so much that he sometimes
fought to secure it, did manifest some uneasiness.

They had along with them a double-barreled shotgun that had always given