oon Harry had a bite, and brought in a perch weighing a little over a
half a pound.

"Good for you, Harry, you take first prize!" cried Jerry.

Hardly had he spoken when he felt a jerk. There was a lively struggle for
fully a minute, and then Jerry landed his catch--a rock bass, all of a
pound in weight.

"Second, but best," laughed Harry. "I guess that is all we want for
to-night."

The pan was over the fire getting hot. Blumpo cleaned the fish and put
them on. In the meantime, Jerry made a pot of coffee.

Never had a meal tasted better to the boys. They lingered over the scraps
for a long while, talking over the events of the day. Blumpo also gave
them a song. It was a happy time.

"Somebody ought to stand guard all night, I suppose," said Jerry, when it
came time to turn in.

"Oh, nonsense!" cried Harry. "Who is going to hurt us in this out of the
way spot?"

"We don't know what may be around."

"I'se too tired to watch," put in Blumpo.

"Never knew the time you weren't tired," laughed Jerry. "But let it go, if
you wish."

Quarter of an hour later all of the boys had turned in. Blumpo picked out
a corner of the tent nearest the rear. Harry slept in the middle, while
Jerry took up a place not far from the front flaps.

As it was rather warm, they left one of the flaps open to admit the air.
Jerry lay in such a position that he could look out on the smoldering
campfire.

Jerry was as tired as the rest, and it did not take him long to drop off
into a sound sleep.

How long he slept he did not know. A low noise outside aroused him. He
opened his eyes with a start, wondering what it was.

Then came another growl or grunt, he could not tell which. He sat up and
looked outside.

A sight met his gaze that nearly caused his heart to stop beating. The
camp fire was almost out, but beyond its fitful glare he beheld a pair of
large eyes bent directly upon the tent opening.

The eyes belonged to some savage beast which was about to attack the
camp.

CHAPTER XIII.

JERRY'S SHOT.

Jerry realized that he and his friends were in great peril. What the
savage beast outside was he could not tell, but it looked large and
powerful in the gloom beyond the camp fire.

There was no time to lose if anything was to be done.

Luckily, before lying down, the young oarsman had loaded his gun and hung
it up on the front pole of the tent, within easy reach.

Sitting up, he now took the weapon and pulled back