wn here. Don't say a single word to anybody, not even Brad
just now. Fred, you've got the key to the door; haven't you?"

"Yes, Brad asked me to keep it at our house for the present," replied
Fred.

"Now, let's draw, and see who has the honor of keeping the first
watch," and as he spoke Bristles hunted around until he had found five
straws, which he broke off until they were all different lengths.

Each of the other four drew, after Bristles had concealed one end in
the palm of his hand.

"Now measure and see. Oh! slush!" he continued, eagerly; "you left me
the longest, after all, when I was hoping it'd be me. And it turns out
to be Colon and Fred. Well, fellows, here's wishing you luck. To-morrow
night I'm just bound to do the camping-out act, anyhow."

When Fred got home he explained to his folks the necessity of some of
the crew guarding the boat. His father quite agreed with him, and
readily gave permission that he spend the night out.

So, a little later, Fred bundled up a blanket, and made his way down
along the river bank unseen. In due time he came to where the old
building, squatty and dilapidated, stood under the bank.

A dark figure arose in front of him. He heard the low whistle that he
and Colon had agreed upon as a signal each might recognize in the dark.

"Glad you came along," Colon declared; "was just getting tired waiting;
been here half an hour, 'cause I heard the church clock strike; but it
seemed like five times as long."

Fred opened the door carefully, and they entered the shed. A lantern
hung on a hook nearby, ready for use. They would need its light so as
to get things in readiness for passing the night. Besides, Colon had a
little idea of his own he wanted to put into practice; and which had
been suggested by the sight of a big empty hogshead that stood outside
the door, on the shelving beach.

"I'm going to lay a neat little trap, and see what luck I have," he
chuckled as Fred asked why he wanted the lantern, after they had fixed
their blankets and made ready for taking things easy.

Colon was gone quite some little time. Fred could hear him working away
like a beaver at something. And as a rope seemed to figure in the
affair he felt a little curiosity to know what sort of a trap the
ingenious fellow could be constructing, all by himself.

Finally tall Colon came in again.

"It's all fixed, and the door locked once more, Fred," he said.

"Then the quicker you blow that glim out