"Now don't you go to saying you didn't mean anything, because the boys
heard you speak right out in meetin'!" exclaimed William, getting up,
and throwing his hands out as though he meant to wash them of the whole
business.

"But William," the accused boy went on, eagerly, "didn't I eat more'n
any one else? I declare I never said your cooking was off color. It's
really decent, and I'm ready to tackle anything you try. Somebody's
joshing us--somebody's putting the words in my mouth."

"It's Bobolink changing his voice," called out Paul, laughingly.

"Sure it is!" cried William; "look at his grinning there, for all he
makes out to be so innocent. He's up to his old tricks again, fellows;
he's practicing that game of ventriloquism on us, that's what."

Whereupon Joe made a dash for the author of his humiliation; but
Bobolink had been expecting such a move, and was prepared to sprint out
of the danger zone.

It was in this spirit of merriment that they finished their supper. If
any of the scouts began to feel a homesick sensation creeping over them,
they were manly enough to hide it from the eyes of their comrades.

And later on, when the dishes had been washed systematically, and
everything arranged for the night, Paul and Jack sat together watching
the stirring scene. The campfire glowed and snapped, boyish laughter and
small talk abounded, and beyond the confines of the camp the sentries
walked their beats.

"Looks good to me, eh, Jack?" remarked the weary acting scoutmaster.

"Same here," declared his chum, warmly; "though I guess you'll be right
glad when Mr. Gordon comes. To-morrow you said we would have some tests
of endurance, whether he is on hand or not. I think that is a good idea.
But look yonder, Paul. Isn't that a moving light away up on the side of
Rattlesnake Mountain?"

And Paul, turning quickly in the direction indicated, was thrilled to
discover once more the phantom jack-o-lantern flickering light that had
mystified him on that other occasion. This time Wallace could not have
said it seemed to be made by a man lighting his pipe, for it was too
steady. It moved to and fro, now clear, and again dim. Then even while
the two boys stared, it suddenly vanished from sight.

CHAPTER XXII

THE NIGHT ALARM

"It's gone!" exclaimed Jack, drawing a long breath.

"Seems like it," remarked Paul, with a trace of excitement in his
usually steady voice; for that strange moving light mystified him.