rowded. Still, they joked over the thing as
they settled down, and after a time only the glow of the still burning
fire told that human beings were somewhere near by.

They slept soundly, despite the close quarters, since the air was cool,
and, for a wonder, no mosquitoes worried them. Those who were dreaming
must have imagined the end of the world had suddenly arrived, for the
tent was, without the least warning, knocked down, leaving the four
amazed boys scrambling and shouting under the canvas, and trying to crawl
out from the wreckage.

CHAPTER XXII

THE MESSAGE FROM THE AIR

"What struck us?" And Bluff poked his head out from under the canvas,
looking for all the world like a tortoise, Frank thought, as he followed
suit.

"Tell me about that, will you! Where's the villain who cut the ropes? I
can whip him with one hand!" panted Jerry, struggling in a mess of camp
necessities, and kicking around among the aluminum ware that Frank prized
so highly.

"Where's my camera? Some fellow has run off with my camera!" wailed Will.

By this time Frank had extricated himself from the wreckage and began to
assist the others to regain their feet. No one seemed to be seriously
injured, and the mystery was great. What had happened to smash down their
tent in that strange way?

"The ropes were never cut, fellows!" announced Bluff, after a hasty
examination.

"Something _fell_ on us, that's what!" observed Jerry, shaking that wise
head of his in his obstinate fashion as he surveyed the ruins of the
tent.

Frank seized upon the idea quickly.

"I believe you've struck the truth, Jerry!" he exclaimed.

"Then it must have been a shooting-star or a piece off a comet," said
Will.

"Not much. I am sure I heard voices calling out, and laughing over the
joke. I tell you somebody's playing a nasty trick on us, that's what!"
declared Bluff.

"Voices, did you say? Are you sure?" demanded Frank, stopping in his
fumbling around the tent, while Jerry was throwing some dead palmetto
leaves on the fire to induce a speedy blaze, so that they might have more
light.

"Yes, I'm sure; and they were out there, too," continued Bluff, pointing
beyond the motor-boat.

"I heard 'em, too!" called Joe, at this juncture, as his head appeared in
view above the combing of the craft.

"Out on the bayou?" asked Frank, anxious to solve the strange mystery.

"Sure! And there was something like the creaking of sails, too. But I
don't th