settled," the scout-master said, like a flash; whereupon the tall chap
began to hedge, and explain more fully his views.

"Oh! course I didn't mean that one scout should sit up all night," he
went on to remark; "but by taking turns we'd feel that the boat wasn't
agoing to be carried off while we slept. Sure I'm willing to stand my
turn, which might be any two hours you set; and then I'll wake up the
next man. You know we've done that same many a time when we were up in
Maine, down along the Blue Ridge, and out among the Rockies hunting big
game."

"Of course I understood what you meant, Giraffe," the scout-master went
on to remark; "and as you say, some of us will spell you, a new man
going on duty every two hours. But I hope now nobody really believes
that we're going to be attacked, by lake pirates, or smugglers, or
anything like that. Those who lie down to sleep, just forget everything.
We're safe here in a splendid harbor and nothing will happen to bother
us."

"But if it should, Thad, you'll wake us all up, I hope," urged Bumpus.

"I promise you that, Bumpus," returned Thad; "because I know just how
you feel about it. No fellow likes to be kicked while he's asleep; with
his eyes open he's in a way to take care of himself. Oh! Yes, we'll see
that every one is waked up if there's going to be a row; because we'll
have need of your fighting face then, Bumpus, remember."

It was hard to get the fat boy fully aroused, such was his customary
good nature; but when he did get beyond the limit, he used to assume
what he considered a terrible look, that was supposed to strike fear to