utlaw crew, who would have a walk of five
miles and more before they could get to town with their sad news, the
regulars put in some time in diligent practice.

"You're rounding out in fine shape, fellows," Brad declared
enthusiastically, as they finally started up-river, bound for home.
"To-morrow we're promised the valuable assistance of Mr. Shays, who
knows the ropes from beginning to end. He'll be apt to give us a heap
of valuable information, and correct a lot of our blunders; for I know
we can do better work than this, once we get on to the right swing."

It was in this happy frame of mind that they came in to the little
float that had been made by using a number of empty water-tight oil
barrels; and from which the boat was to be launched, as well as taken
from the water.

Every one of them felt thankful it had not been their craft that had
met with disaster on this sunny afternoon.

Of course, when the startling news was told to the crowd that lingered
around the boat shed, it created a big sensation. As Buck really had no
admirers present, few felt very sorry for him. He had long been the
terror of the town, and every decent boy and girl went in his company
as little as possible.

CHAPTER XVIII

LYING IN WAIT

Fred, after some time, saw that Bristles was lingering nearby while he
chatted with Flo and some of the others. He fancied that the boy with
the mop of hair was trying to catch him alone, as though he wanted to
say something in private.

That caused Fred to remember that he knew something which Bristles
would give considerable to hear; and it also pained him to think that
his promise to Miss Muster would prevent him from telling, until she
gave the word.

But then perhaps it might be something not so personal that Bristles
wished to say to him. Fred had noticed the way the other looked, at the
time they were leaving Buck and his shipwrecked crew down the river.
And perhaps he had made the same discovery that Bristles had.

Flo Temple, about that time, declared she must be running home, and
left, accompanied by some of the other girls, her chum, Cissy Anderson,
whom Sid liked; and Mame Wells, the little hoyden sister of Sid, who
seemed to be more than, half boy, because she dearly loved to play
baseball, ice hockey, go fishing, and even aspired to go hunting when
she got older, and her father would buy her a gun.

Thus Fred saw no reason why he should any longer hold aloof from
Bristl