der with something more
than ordinary curiosity, as Thad examined the two shining coins. And
when the other even tried his teeth on each half dollar in turn, Davy
gave an exclamation of delight; while the other scout was in a measure
filled with sudden consternation.

For both of them could understand what this meant, and that Thad felt
more or less suspicious regarding the genuineness of the two coins.

"He thinks they might be counterfeits, Smithy," said Davy, in low but
thrilling tones. "Now wouldn't that be a great joke if we found
ourselves bunking on this old island along with a lot of desperate bogus
money-makers! Oh! say, things are just turning out tremendous, and
that's a fact. But I don't exactly know, whether there'd be more fun
staying here, or taking that little voyage with the log."

"That part of it has already been settled," remarked Thad, with a vein
of authority in his voice; for he wanted Davy to understand that as a
true scout, he must always pay respect to the orders of his superior,
and never try to evade a duty that had been imposed upon him.

"Oh! all right, Thad;" Davy replied; "I'm willin' enough to try the
swim; but say, what if they jump on you fellers while I'm away?"

You would have thought from the patronizing manner of the Jones boy that
upon his presence alone depended the safety of the group of scouts.
Thad, however, knew Davy pretty well by this time, and did not take all
he said seriously.

"We'll have to manage to get on, somehow," he said; "and perhaps, after
all, the danger may not be so very great. If there are places for these
two men to hide, why, seems to me we ought to be able to keep out of
their sight some way or another."

Smithy was not saying much, but it might be understood that he was doing
a whole lot of thinking. This was certainly a novel experience for him.
A short time before, and he had not really known what it was to
associate with any boys save a delicate little cousin away off in a
city, and who was very girlish in all his ways. And here he was now, not
only in the company of seven healthy fellows, fond of fun, and all
outdoor sports; but a genuine scout in the Silver Fox Patrol, and facing
danger with a bravery no one had ever dreamed he could display.

That was why Smithy felt pleased, even while he at the same time
experienced a touch of uneasiness because of the new developments that
were constantly making their situation look more desperate.

As