imly seen figure descending slowly from limb to limb.

Two courses were open to the scout leader. He could shout out, and bring
every sleeper dashing from the tents; after which the tree might be
surrounded, and the spy compelled to surrender. Then again he could
wait and watch.

His curiosity was aroused to some extent. He really wondered what the
game of Monkey Eggleston could be. And so he determined to simply creep
up closer, without giving the alarm. At the proper time he would start
things moving.

Of course, if one of the sentries happened to think that the fire should
be looked after, and came forward to throw on more fuel, it might
interfere with the plans of the boy in the tree. But Wallace would not
do this unless Paul gave the signal agreed on; and the patrol leader was
rather of the opinion the other two fellows might be sound asleep, being
unaccustomed to such a vigil.

He just caught a fleeting glimpse of something dropping lightly to the
ground close beside the mess tent. This he knew must be Monkey. He had
accomplished the first part of his errand, and now came the question of
what he meant to do next.

Paul pushed in closer, anxious to see what was going on, for the spy was
in the midst of the supplies gathered under the canvas cover. Just as
though his coming might have been discovered, a dark figure made a
sudden spring away from the spot. As the intruder bounded past the
smouldering fire he seemed to bend over and throw something into it.

Instantly a bright illumination took place, dazzling in its effect.

With the crash of the spy's retreating footsteps echoed the loud cries
that arose from the spot where Wallace was keeping guard:

"Fire! fire! turn out here and save your bacon, fellows!" he shouted at
the top of his voice.

Figures came tumbling out of the tents. Every scout had been aroused by
that dreadful summons, which might mean the wind-up of their jolly
expedition before it had been started.

Of all the disasters that in a camp must be viewed with anxiety, a fire
ranks next to a sudden hurricane. Paul had spoken about these things so
much that every fellow realized the seriousness of the case, even though
he might be a tenderfoot, who had up to now never slept under canvas.

Of course, as is usually the case, many lost their heads in the
excitement. It could hardly have been otherwise, since they were new
hands at the business. They ran back and forth, trembling with eagerness