Part 29 (1/2)
”Faith,” whispered Gerald, ”we'll beat theestion the boys separated, each taking a different course,later at the boathouse The place was in darkness when Rand, as the first to arrive, got there Making a hasty exaht of ain the dark, he waited until the others, slipping up like so ?” asked Donald, as they consulted behind the house
”Not a thing,” responded Rand ”Perhaps they have given it up”
”You can no depend upon what they ht, old Soloreed Pepper; ”so it's just as well to be prepared for anything”
”What shall we do if they come?” asked Donald
”Juested Gerald
”No,” advised Rand ”Let's give theo to the door or , Don or I will give the call and ill all rush on the or they ive the his plans ”I think it will be better if we each hide in a different place Pepper can go over there behind those bushes and watch the road Don can watch the door, and I will go on the other side and look out for the ”
”And phat will Oi be doing?” asked Gerald, who could not resist his fun- instincts
”You can hide down by the shore and watch the river”
”We ought to have soested Pepper
”Like Paul Revere, 'one if by land, and two if by sea,'” quoted Rand ”If you hear theive the whip-poor-will call, and Gerald, if he hears anything, can give the owl call”
”Owl right,” responded Gerald, as they each went to their appointed stations
The night ar of the waves on the shore, the chirp of a cricket or the occasional croak of a tree frog, disturbed the quiet of the night As the tian to doze until Gerald was suddenly roused with a start by a splash in the water and saw a boat gliding silently toward the landing
”Faith, it looks as if there ht be so a couple of ti himself behind an upturned boat
”What was that?” asked one of the rowers at the sound of Gerald's call
”Aw, it's nothing but an owl,” replied the other ”Whatcher 'fraid of?”
The boat was now at the landing, and the taller of the two stepping out fastened the boat and went toward the house, calling upon his companion to follow
”There will be so,” chuckied the forenized as Monkey Rae
”Sure there ain't anybody 'round?” asked the other, hesitating
”Of course there ain't,” responded Monkey confidently ”Aw, co about it but you and I, and we ain't a-shoutin' it”
”I thought I heard a noise,” demurred the other
”Oh, bother!” returned Monkey i”