y
forced to arouse Bluff to take his place.

The latter did so rather unwillingly. Bluff was unusually sleepy, it
seemed, and inclined to believe that this watch business was all humbug,
anyway. What did they need to fear? Possibly there was not a human being
within five miles of where the motor-boat was tied up.

So Bluff grew a bit careless. Two or three times he napped while on duty,
and as nothing came of it he made up his mind that there could not be any
danger. So he settled himself more comfortably on the seat and allowed
his eyes to close once more.

How long he slept Bluff never knew. He was awakened by some sound, but he
could not tell what it was.

He did not move, but sat there trying to remember just where he was, and
after satisfying his mind with regard to that point, wondered what it was
that had disturbed his dreams.

Not hearing any repetition of the noise, he was about to drop off again,
his eyes feeling very heavy, when he saw something move. Was that Frank,
or one of the other boys, who had been ashore, climbing back to the boat?

Bluff gripped his gun, and kept on the watch. Whoever it might be, he
evidently did not want to arouse the sleepers, for he was very careful
how he stepped after he had come aboard.

Bluff caught a glimpse of the other's face as the dying fire on shore
chanced to flare up. He made the alarming discovery that it was a white
man, but a stranger; and then and there he remembered about the sheriff's
hunt for the desperado!

CHAPTER X

BLUFF'S FIRST 'GATOR

"Don't you move a hand or foot, you rascal!" cried Bluff sternly as he
suddenly sat up, with leveled gun.

The unknown pillager was only a comparatively few feet away, so that it
was easy for him to see the weapon covered him. Immediately he elevated
his hands, as if to signify that he surrendered.

"What is it, Bluff?" asked a quiet voice, and Frank appeared from the
bottom of the boat.

By then the thief must have determined that unless he took chances he
would be made a prisoner. He gave a sudden yell, and threw himself over
the gunwale of the boat. By chance it was the side toward the water, and
they heard the splash that announced his arrival below.

"Some fellow aboard, bent on stealing everything we had!" exclaimed
Bluff.

"Was it George?" gasped Will, aghast at the possibility of such
ingratitude.

"No; a white man. See! There he goes, swimming across the river!"

The light was not very