kout then, we've got before us, Bristles," he
observed.

"All right, it's what I believe, just the same," the other went on,
firmly. "If we let things just slide along I give you my word some fine
night we'll be aroused by the fire whistle, and get down here in time
to find the boathouse ablaze, and our new shell ruined for keeps."

"If that seems to be the opinion of several of the boys, we ought to do
something to prevent it," Fred declared, positively.

"That just brings me to the point," ventured Bristles. "Are you in with
our little bunch--Colon, Corney, perhaps Sid, and me?"

"I'm ready and willing to do anything I can to defend the boat, if that
is what you mean," came the ready response.

"Shake on it, then. Wait here till I send the other fellers around.
Then we'll just have a little confab, and see what we can fix up. I'll
sound Sid while we're coming along; though if you're in, he's sure to
say yes, because he always sticks by you like a plaster."

A minute later Colon arrived, wearing a serious look; and then Corney
followed. The three had just got started talking when Bristles hove in
sight, bearing Sid along with him.

"Here we are, now, the whole big five," Bristles said, loftily, as he
came up. "Now, let's go all over this thing, and see if we agree."

He again told what he had seemed to read upon the malignant face of
Buck at the time they left him standing knee-deep in the river.
Afterwards he called on Fred to describe what he had seen, and the
impression it made on him at the time.

"You see!" Bristles cried, triumphantly, in conclusion; "both of us
thought about the same thing. Buck is up to some meanness. He would be
just delighted if we lost our boat, because he doesn't like to see
anybody having a good time when he can't be doing the same. And as it
isn't likely we'll hit a snag, or set fire to the old shanty ourselves,
why, he might think to save us the trouble."

"Then there's only one thing to be done," said Colon, with set lips.

"We five must guard the boat each night!" declared Bristles.

"Right along?" exclaimed Corney, with something like dismay in his
voice; "sure I'm willing to do all I can, but I must sleep once in a
while!"

At that the others laughed.

"Don't be silly, Corney!" burst out Bristles. "Of course we'll take the
job by relays. We can draw for to-night, the two getting the short
straws bunking out in the house. After it gets dark blankets can be
smuggled do