to any harm, and it will give him
a good chance to cool down. That's the main trouble with Randy. Up comes
his temper at the least word of rebuke, and though he knows that he is
wrong, his self will and anger won't let him admit it. I believe he will
take this warning to heart though."

Clay and Nugget did not reply. The former's conscience was a little bit
uneasy, for he knew that his imprudent utterance had started Randy off
in anger.

The three boys paddled on silently for a while, and then Nugget managed
to ground the Imp on a concealed ledge of rocks. It required the united
efforts of his companions to dislodge it, and even then it was a labor
of nearly five minutes' duration. A canvas canoe must be handled very
carefully when among the rocks.

About this time the moon came out from a bank of fleecy clouds, and the
light--feeble though it was--enabled the boys to make better speed, and
to keep a watch ahead for shoals.

A moment later they wished with all their hearts that the moon was on
the other side of the globe, for a bend in the channel revealed a fire
on the right bank, a short distance below. The flames were partly
screened by a fringe of bushes, but not sufficiently to prevent the
ruddy light from flashing far across the water.

"That must be Bug Batters's camp," whispered Ned.

"It will be a ticklish operation to get by if the men are on the watch.
We can manage to, though, if we are prudent and don't lose our heads.
Don't breathe a word or make any noise with your paddles. Just stick
close to me."

Ned headed for the left bank, which was thickly wooded, and paddled
slowly and noiselessly along the very edge. The others followed his
example, and in a short time the three canoes were directly opposite the
fire. Two dark figures squatting beside it could be plainly seen. The
dancing reflection of the flames revealed the boat pulled partially out
of water, and stretched far beyond mid channel.

It was a thrilling moment. Discovery at first seemed inevitable, for the
men were facing the creek. But as no alarm came, and the canoes crept
deeper into the friendly gloom, the boys began to breathe more easily.

They did not relax their caution until the fire was two or three
hundred yards in the rear. Then Ned signified that the danger was over
by paddling boldly and swiftly toward mid-channel.

"I hope we have seen the last of Bug Batters and his companion," he
said, "and I really believe that they w