ce off for to-day. I
promised my folks that I wouldn't go in swimming more'n once each day.
To-morrow morning then, Giraffe, I'll promise to go you just as we said,
you to have one arm working. And I warn you right now you'll have to do
your best, unless you want to be left in the lurch, because I'm learning
fast."

Step-hen certainly looked very much disappointed. There was a sneer, as
well as a shadow on his face, as he remarked scornfully:

"Huh! you take water, eh, Bumpus?"

"Only once a day," replied the fat boy, calmly; and yet the look he gave
Step-hen told the other that his clever scheme had been understood.

Of course the action of Bumpus in calling the race off convinced
Step-hen more than ever that the fat boy did have his precious compass.
If it was not in that old haversack then, he had, as Step-hen suspected,
transferred the same to one of his pockets; and was even then carrying
it around, in defiance of the owner.

Now Step-hen could have ended all this disturbance by appealing straight
to the scout-master, who would have asked Bumpus to tell on his honor if
he had what did not belong to him. But it did not suit the boy to do
this. He was naturally rather obstinate, and had a bulldog nature.

"I started out to recapture that compass on my own account, and I ain't
going to play the baby act now, and ask Thad to get it for me, no siree.
Just you wait, Bumpus Hawtree, and see if I don't find some way to fool
you. It's in one of those pockets of yours that stick out so; and sooner
or later I'll prove it before the rest of the troop."

Step-hen was saying this to himself as he watched the three, who were
to go to the mysterious island, finishing their preparations for the
journey across the lake. But apparently the fat boy had already
forgotten all about the trouble. He had a disposition that could not
harbor resentment any great length of time. Like a little summer storm
it quickly blew over; and Bumpus was then the same smiling, genial
comrade, ready to do anything to oblige his late antagonist.

Thad did not have many preparations to make, however. Most of his time
was spent in talking with Allan, and arranging for the work that was to
be done that morning, in showing the balance of the patrol numerous
interesting things connected with scout life.

"I reckon we'll be back in time for lunch," he remarked, when Davy
called out to say the boat was ready; "but to make sure we won't go
hungry each of