_Tramp_ and the _Comfort_ were both fastened up, for it was
possible to lock their cabins in an emergency. George was under his
canvas shelter, trying to make himself believe he fully enjoyed the
sensation of loneliness.

Finally a silence came over the camp on the shore. The fire died down
gradually, for no one bothered to keep it going, the night being
anything but cold.

Jack was always a light sleeper. He had trained himself to awaken if
there was anything unusual going on. And when he suddenly opened his
eyes, seeing the stars over his head, he knew instinctively that it was
not far from daybreak. He also had a sort of intuition that there was
some one or _something_ moving close by.

And so, Jack, reaching out and securing his gun, began to softly raise
his head, hoping that the starlight would be strong enough to let him
see what was going on. What discovery he made gave him something of a
little shock.

CHAPTER IX.

THE DESPERATION OF HUNGER.

The night was still. Only the soft wash of the tiny waves on the shore
came to the ears of the _Tramp's_ skipper as he thus raised his head to
take an observation.

First he looked in the direction of the three motor boats, and in
particular the one on board of which George was sleeping. Perhaps he
had a slight suspicion to the effect that some movement on the part of
this chum had caused the scuffling sounds.

His search for an explanation in this quarter proved to be a failure.
He could plainly see the tan-colored canvas tent which covered the
speed boat; but it seemed to be perfectly motionless.

Just then Jack sniffed the air two or three times. Come, that was
surely a most delightful odor that seemed to be wafted in his quarter.
Had Nick, for instance, been alongside, and wide-awake, he would have
immediately declared that it reminded him of roast duck!

By the way, they did have a full half dozen waders in the process of
baking in that crude earthen oven. Jack shot a quick glance over in
the direction where he and Nick had built the receptacle.

What could that dark object be? Even as he looked he surely saw it
move. Yes, a second and more positive examination convinced him of
this fact. Then there was danger of the expected breakfast being
carried off while they slept.

Was it some prowling bear that had followed the scent, and dug out the
cooked fowls? The bulk of the figure assured him that it could be no
ordinary raccoon, or ev