ly as though he wondered whether an agile wildcat
might not take a notion to jump into the launch while up in the
overhanging tree.

"Don't worry about it, Chum Larry," said Phil soothingly. "This
stationary top would keep him from getting aboard, you see. But in
case you hear a shot during the night, just remember what we've been
talking about."

"All right, I will," Larry observed; and later on when making
preparations for sleeping he was unusually careful to tuck himself well
in, and draw down the curtains close to him, fastening them securely
with the grummets that were meant to clutch the round-headed screws
along the side.

Phil himself was secretly wishing a hungry cat might come sneaking
along, to climb up in the tree, and tackle their meat; for he wanted to
have the satisfaction of saying he had shot a Florida bobcat; and in
protecting their stores he could find plenty of excuses for making war
on such a beast.

So he arranged things when laying down, in order to allow of a peep at
any time he woke up. As long as the moon remained above the horizon,
which would be until after midnight, he could plainly see that dark
object swinging from the limb of the tree above.

None of them dreamed of the various things that were fated to come to
pass ere the journey's end was reached. Could stout hearted Phil have
had a fleeting vision of what lay before them, even he might have
hesitated about going on. But he fully believed that he was carrying
an olive branch of peace that could not fail to subdue the truculent
nature of the dreaded McGee. And it was in that confident spirit he
fell asleep.

Possibly a couple of hours may have passed when he awakened, feeling
rather cramped from lying on one side so long. Before turning over, he
remembered his intention to take occasional peeps up at the meat that
had been swung aloft; and raising the flap of the loose curtain he cast
his eyes in that quarter.

The moon was lower now, but still shone brightly. And he could without
any particular trouble make out the dark object which he knew must be
the suspended package of venison. Nothing seemed to be near it, save
the usual branches of the tree; and Phil was about to give a satisfied
grunt, after which he would roll over the other way, when somehow he
became convinced that the bundle appeared much larger than previously.

Watching closely he made a startling discovery. There was some object
flattened out on top o