nother hour in encircling their logs with a stout boom, which
they made secure to the shore.

"There, that's better," was the captain's comment, when this had been
completed. "Yez'd better hurry home now, fer it's gittin' rather late."

As the boys were about to leave, a small tug came up the river, and
swerved somewhat to the left. A man was standing in the wheel-house,
watching those on shore. No word was spoken as the boat sped by, but a
thoughtful expression appeared in Captain Josh's eyes as he stood and
studied the tug for several minutes.

"I wonder what she's after," he mused, half aloud.

"Perhaps she's going up-river for logs," Rod suggested.

"Maybe she is, lad. But I was jist wondering whose logs she's after,
that's all. I know that craft, so that's what makes me uneasy. If
it's your logs she's after it'll be well to keep a sharp lookout
to-night. Last spring quite a number of logs disappeared, and I know
yez don't want to run any risk with yours."

The scouts were much excited now, and the idea of keeping watch
appealed to their fancy. They all wanted to stay, but the captain told
them to go home first and get permission from their parents.

"I'll keep a eye out," he told them, "until some of yez come back.
Ye'd better bring yer blankets along, so that the ones who are not on
duty kin sleep. I guess ye'll find the floor of Headquarters quite
soft before mornin'."

By the time the scouts returned it was nine o'clock. They found the
captain on guard near the shore.

"Nothin' doin' yit," was his greeting. "But, then, it's too early.
The best thing fer yez to do is to take an hour each on watch. Put the
youngest on first, and the older ones kin take from midnight. If
anything of special interest turns up, let me know. I'll sleep with
one ear open."

And thus the watch began. It was a novel experience for the scouts,
and all were anxious for their turn to arrive. Every time the door
opened and guard was relieved, all awoke, for they slept lightly, as
the floor was not as soft as their own beds at home.

Phil had taken from twelve to one, and he was followed by Rod. It was
a beautiful night, with the stars twinkling overhead. Not a ripple
disturbed the surface of the river. Frogs croaked in the distance, and
peculiar night sounds fell upon his ears. He sincerely hoped that
something would happen during his watch, and as he sat upon a log among
the bushes his eyes and ears were kee