vowed, as he rubbed his arms; and then bent lower to admire the spotted
sides of the big trout, that probably looked prettier to Bumpus than
anything he had ever before seen.

"He's a jim dandy, and that's a fact, Bumpus!" said Giraffe, swallowing
his bitter chagrin because fortune had cheated him out of being the
first in the contest to bring in such a prize; at the same time he was
no doubt thinking what a tasty morsel that splendid fish would afford
the lot for breakfast and wondering if there were not several of them
who had confessed that they did not care for fish which would allow a
larger portion to those who did.

However, all thoughts of this nature were doomed to be forgotten,
because just then Davy had to go and throw a bombshell into the camp by
remarking in a low and trembling voice:

"Thad, oh Thad! I saw a fellow poke his head up above that pile of
rocks just then, give you my word of honor I did!"

"Be prepared!" said the skipper, quickly; and every scout reached out
for the weapon he had decided to rely upon in case of dire necessity.




CHAPTER X

THE QUEER WAYS OF BUMPUS