nly alert.

Never before did an hour appear so tedious to Rod. When it seemed that
he had been there long enough he pulled out the watch the captain had
let the boys have for the night and, striking a match, saw that he had
been on guard only half an hour. At times a drowsy feeling came over
him, and he was forced to move about to keep from going to sleep at his
post. He wondered if the other scouts had felt the same way.

He had just seated himself after a short walk, when a sound out on the
river arrested his attention. At first he thought that he must be
mistaken. But, no, he was sure now that he could hear the noise of a
boat cutting through the water. This brought him to his feet, and he
strained his eyes in an effort to see what it could be. And as he
looked he beheld a dim object in the distance, which was growing more
distinct. It was moving when he first saw it. Then it slowed down and
seemed to be drifting. There was hardly a sound made now, and the
watcher on the shore could tell that the boat was drawing closer to
where the logs were lying. This looked serious, and he believed that
it was there for no good purpose. He waited a few moments, however, to
be sure. He did not wish to give a false alarm, and thus bring upon
himself the ridicule of the other scouts.

The boat was now near enough for him to discern it quite plainly.
Presently it stopped and a small boat put off, and made straight for
the logs. Rod hesitated no longer, but turning, sped swiftly along the
shore and then up the path leading to the Anchorage. Reaching the
house, he pounded upon the door, which was opened almost immediately by
the captain.

"They're there!" Rod gasped.

"After the logs?" the captain enquired. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Come quick, or it will be too late!"

Stepping to one corner of the kitchen, the captain picked up his rifle,
and swiftly followed Rod to the shore. There they paused and listened.

"Ye're right, by gum!" the captain whispered. "The skunks! But I'll
stop their fun. Into the tender now, and make no noise."

With Rod seated astern, and the captain at the oars, it took but a few
minutes to come close to the tug. A long line had already been made
fast to the raft, and the small boat with two men on board was
returning from fastening the warp. Captain Josh ceased rowing and
waited. Then he caught up his rifle, and held it in readiness.

"Hold on there!" he roared. "What's the mea