Part 28 (2/2)

Then half an hour pa.s.sed, a quarter-gale of wind making the only sound that came from outside.

”I think that must have been a sailor's ghost,” remarked Prescott, at last, ”and he got his bearings wrong. He said, half an hour ago, that he was coming in--but he didn't.”

”How can you t-t-talk about g-g-g-ghosts like that?” shuddered Dutcher, whose face was still invisible to the others.

”We might as well go to bed,” proposed Dave, using one hand to cover an imitation yawn that was intended to urge the others to courage.

”Whatever wild spirit was traveling around here has wandered off in some other direction.”

”Don't go to bed,” pleaded Hen. ”I won't have any one to talk to if all you fellows go to sleep.”

For answer Tom Reade climbed up into his bunk, though he kept his s.h.i.+rt and trousers on.

”I'll tell you what,” offered d.i.c.k. ”We'll take turns staying up on guard, just in case something real should happen. The fellow who stays up will walk back and forth, to be sure of remaining awake. He'll also see to it that the fire is kept up.”

”Who'll take the first watch?” Harry wanted to know.

”Let Hen do it!” came, in the same breath, from Dave, Tom and Greg.

”I--I wouldn't be any good at that,” pleaded Dutcher anxiously.

”No,” smiled d.i.c.k dryly, ”I don't believe you would. As I proposed the guard stunt, I'll take the first dose of my own medicine. Later in the night I'll call Dave, and when he's through he'll call Tom. All you fellows pile back into bed and get some sleep.”

”You take the air rifle, then,” urged Dan, pa.s.sing it over. As this rather insignificant weapon might possibly be of some use, in the event of more definite trouble, d.i.c.k accepted it.

One after another the fellows dropped off to sleep, all except Hen, who lay very still, with heart thumping wildly.

Half an hour after Prescott's tour of guard duty began three wild wails, wordless, smote the air, one after the other. Dave, Tom and Dan awoke.

”It's all right,” d.i.c.k called to them, softly. ”Nothing but noises.

Don't be afraid but I'll call you if its needed.”

So those who had a chance, dozed off. Hen didn't have any chance; his cowardly soul wasn't made for sleep when there was any danger about.

It was twenty minutes past three when d.i.c.k stepped over and nudged Dave gently, next whispering:

”It's about time for you, now. You call Tom at a little after five, and then tell him to call us all at seven o'clock.”

Dave hurriedly dressed and took the air rifle from d.i.c.k, the latter then getting back into his bunk and soon dropping off in sleep.

”Seven o'clock! All out! Step lively! Change cars for breakfast!” were the next words that d.i.c.k Prescott heard.

By the time that the fellows had dressed, in the warm cabin, and had started to pry the shutters back, the first dim promise of daylight was showing in the east. A little later it was broad daylight.

By this time, too, after most of the fellows had slept soundly for hours, the situation seemed altogether different. Even Dutcher slipped out of his bunk and began to dress briskly.

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