ld, and Thad knows about that Artemus Rawson.
He'll see to it that Aleck isn't around when they come to camp. Oh!
ain't I glad though I brushed up my code work with him early in the
morning, though. That business with Aleck in the night made me ashamed
to be so dull. I want to ask him one more question, for there he's
waving to know if I'm done."

"Get through quick, then; we orter be back in camp," said the guide,
not unkindly, but because he saw the condition of Step Hen.

"What is it?" Thad was signaling, waiting each time after asking the
question, to receive an answer.

"Will you have Aleck hide himself?" asked the other.

"Sure thing."

"We'll head back to camp in morning--have to get Smithy's horns
first," went on Step Hen.

"Has he taken to growing a pair?" Thad asked, quizzically.

"His sheep I mean--lies back a bit--look for us about noon."

"That all?"

"Yes. Good-bye!"

The last wavering movements of Thad's torch far away in the distance
told that he was echoing this concluding word. Then it vanished.

The talk-fest was over; and Step Hen felt that at least he had done
himself proud for one who had paid so little attention to this really
important adjunct to the education of a Boy Scout.

"And mark me, Toby," he mumbled as the guide kindly threw an arm about
his tottering figure, though Step Hen hardly comprehended the fact,
"I'm agoin' to take up wigwag work after this, sure I am. Never
thought it could be so interestin'. It's sure great. Here's our camp,
ain't it? You tell the boys what I did, won't you Toby; I'm feelin'
kinder tired like? Guess I'll sit down a spell."

Davy Jones and Smithy were wild to know how it had all turned out; and
while the murmur of the guide's voice sounded, as he related the story
of the message sending, poor played-out Step Hen sank to the ground,
dead for sleep.

In less than two minutes he was lost to the world, the last thing he
heard being the low voice of Toby Smathers, recounting the recent
splendid feat of the scout whose message had undoubtedly saved Aleck
Rawson from impending trouble.

CHAPTER XX.

SHERIFF BOB'S BOMB EXPLODES.

"There they come!"

It was the observant "Old Eagle Eye," as some of the boys called
Giraffe, who gave utterance to these words.

Early morning was at hand. All through the balance of the night those
left in the camp in the valley had been momentarily expecting to have
the sheriff and his older companion drop