Part 31 (2/2)
Supper was late in the sheep camp that evening. Old Hicks was in a terrible rage and no one dared protest at the delay, for fear he would get no supper at all. The boys were still discussing Stacy Brown's feat, and every time the subject was referred to all during the evening, it was sure to elicit a roar of laughter.
As night came on, the sky was gradually blotted out by a thin veil of clouds, which seemed to grow more dense as the evening wore on. Chunky had been sent out with Mary Johnson on guard duty, Walter having gone out with the foreman. That left Tad Butler and Ned Rector of the Pony Rider Boys, to take their turn on the late trick.
Tad preferred to sit up rather than to try to sleep for the short time that would intervene before it came his turn to go out.
”Do you think we shall have any trouble tonight?” he asked, looking up as Mr. Simms pa.s.sed his tent.
”You know as much about that as I do, my boy. Perhaps your courage over at the Corners may scare them off, eh? They may think, if we are all such fighters over here, that it will be a good place to keep away from.”
Tad laughed good-naturedly.
”Guess I didn't give them any such fright as that. How is Philip this evening?”
”Sound asleep. It's doing the boy good. He hasn't slept like this since his illness last spring.”
”I wish he might go on with us and spend the summer out of doors.”
”H-m-m-m,” mused Mr. Simms. ”I am afraid he would be too great a care. No, Tad, the boy is a little too young. Where are you going next?”
”I am not sure.”
”Well, let me know when you find out and we will talk it over. Fine night for a raid of any kind, isn't it?”
”Yes, sir,” answered Tad, glancing up at the black clouds.
”Good luck to you to-night. You and your partner must take care of yourselves. Do not take any unnecessary risk. You will have done your part in using your keen young eyes to see that no one gets near the camp.”
”I should feel better if I had a gun,” laughed the boy.
”Somehow--but no, I guess it is not best.”
”Certainly not.”
Tad turned up the lantern in his tent and sat down to his book, which he had been reading most of the evening. He was not interrupted again until the camp watchmen came around to turn out the second guard.
Ned was asleep and he tumbled out rubbing his eyes, not sure just what was wanted of him.
”Wake up,” laughed Tad. ”You are getting to be a regular sleepy head.”
”Guess I am. Is--is it time to go out?”
”It is. And it is a dark night, too.”
”Whew! I should say it is,” replied Ned, with an apprehensive glance out beyond the camp. ”How are we ever going to find our way about to-night?”
”I don't imagine we shall be moving about much after we get on our station. Mr. Larue will place us there.”
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