der. "I'd
sooner sleep in a pigpen than alongside such human animals as those
unclean hoboes."

"Why," remarked Billy, aghast at the thought, "they might rob us of
our blankets; or worse, of our precious grub, which would be what I'd
call a calamity without equal."

"We've just got to bounce them, that's plain," said Monkey Stallings.
"Hugh, you remember what you the same as promised me?"

"Oh! if you think you can start something that will rid us of the
pair," the scout master told him, "go to it right away. If you want
us to help, say the word, Monkey."

Already the other was feverishly attacking his pack, which he had
tossed upon the ground. He soon found what he was looking for, to
judge from the satisfied exclamation that passed his lips.

"Tell us what you've got there, Monkey," urged Alec.

"Yes, that's do," added Billy, anxiously, "because we want to be on
our guard. If it throws a scare into those tramps it might work just
as bad with some other fellows I know, unless they were warned
beforehand. Show your hand, Monkey, please."

"Oh! shucks! it's only a sort of wild-goose call I tried to make
from directions I read in a little book," confessed the ingenious
one. "It don't seem to imitate a wild honker much, but say, I c'n
make the most _unearthly_ sounds come out of this hollow bone you
ever listened to. Why, it nigh about freezes my own blood when I
try the call in the pitch dark. Now watch and see what happens."

"Be careful, Monkey," warned Hugh, as the other prepared to creep
away. "Don't let them glimpse you at any time, or there may be serious
trouble. They look like an ugly couple of customers. I suppose you
mean to try and get around on the other side of them?"

"Sure thing," replied the originator of the scheme, "and if I were
you, Hugh, I'd make out to hide your bunch, because, believe me, that
pair will come whooping along this way like mad pretty soon."

"Which is what we'll do right away, Monkey, never fear," Hugh told
him.

Accordingly the four scouts disposed themselves in such fashion that
while they would be hidden from view they could at the same time watch
whatever took place, and enjoy the fun, if, by good luck, the scheme
arranged for the entertainment of the bold hoboes, turned out successful.

The two ragged wanderers were sitting on the stones bordering the
ditch or "moat" that surrounded the make-believe ancient castle.
They evidently debated as to the advisa