it in an envelope, and addressed it to Alonzo Hibbert, or Thomas
Colquitt, Eagle Hotel, Gridley.

As Dick came out his other chums halted their labors long
enough to take leave of Dr. Bentley and his party. They escorted
the departing guests to their automobiles, and saw them start
away.

Such of the roast meat as was to be saved was packed in metal
pails, covered, and then the pails lowered into a brook, where
the cool water would to a certain extent take the place of ice.

Then Mr. Ross and his helpers removed the folding tables and other
loaned articles.

"Thank you, boys, for what you did to break the stampede of the
herd," said Mr. Ross, waving his hand after he had sprung up into
the saddle.

Once more Dick & Co. had their camp all to themselves.

"I wish we could have such visitors every day," cried Darry
enthusiastically.

"Yes," grinned Tom, "but how long would our canned goods hold
out? We'd have to be rich, fellows, to entertain so many people
every day, even if the meat end of the feast did come to us without
cost."

"We want to make the camp shipshape again," Dick remarked, looking
about. "There's a lot of refuse food to be burned. Greg, you
start a fire. Dan you gather up every scrap of food that must
be thrown away and burn it on said fire. Dave, you can set the
tent to rights. I'll take an axe and hustle after some firewood.
Dave, suppose you help me. Tom might put the camp to rights."

With the labor thus divided all hands set briskly to work. By
the time that all the tasks had been performed the boys were glad
to lie down on the grass and rest until it was time to prepare
a light supper. After that meal was over Dave asked:

"We're going to keep regular guard to-night, aren't we?"

"Yes," Dick answered. "We'll turn in at nine o'clock and keep
guard until six in the morning. That will be nine hours---an
hour and a half of guard duty for each fellow. Suppose we draw
lots to decide the order in which we shall take our tricks of
guard duty."

This was done. To Prescott fell the second tour, from ten-thirty
until midnight. Reade had the first tour.

At a few minutes after nine all was quiet in the camp. Five tired
high school boys were soon sound asleep, with Reade, hidden in
the deep shadows, watching outside.

It seemed to young Prescott that he had no more than dropped off
into slumber when Tom shook him by the shoulder.

"Half-past ten," whispered Reade, as Dic