hen he came opposite the
boys Ned called out:

"Say, tell me who that stout gentleman is, will you?"

The little man hesitated before replying. "That's Judge Gibson, of
Carlisle," he said finally in a very impressive tone. "You fellers may
be glad you ain't sittin' afore him in the dock this minute--especially
that chap down yonder. O, my! wouldn't you get salty sentences though!"

A loud summons from the judge started the little man off in a hurry, and
the conversation came to an abrupt ending.

The boys soon joined Randy, and finding him in a decidedly bad temper,
they made as little allusion as possible to what had occurred. It was
evident from the way he shrugged his shoulders that the blows of the
fishing pole had left a good deal of a sting.

Not knowing what might be expected of Judge Gibson, the boys concluded
to be on the safe side, and as soon as Randy had changed his clothes
they paddled away from the vicinity.

About one o'clock a halt was made for lunch, and as the air was
disagreeably damp and cutting, Ned boiled a pot of coffee.

The cruise was resumed an hour later, and during the afternoon a close
watch was kept for suitable camping places. The indications all presaged
bad weather, and there was no doubt that rain would set in by
morning--if not sooner.

About four o'clock a camping ground was discovered that met with general
approval--a sheltered spot amid great pine trees on the right bank. In
the rear was a steep hill, and a limestone spring was conveniently
close.

The boys spent just one solid hour in arranging things to their
satisfaction, for their stay was likely to be a protracted one, and
they wanted everything snug and comfortable before the rain came.

The tent was staked with more than ordinary care, and then a ditch was
dug around all four sides and the dirt thrown on the edges of the
canvas. A stone fireplace was built between two trees and within easy
reach of the tent door.

A layer of fragrant pine boughs was spread on the floor of the tent, and
both front corners were piled with firewood. The arrangements were
completed by dragging the canoes to the top of the bank and removing all
that they contained.

"That is what I call snug," said Randy complacently. "I won't mind
staying here two or three days. How are we fixed for provisions?"

"Bread will run short to-morrow, but we have plenty of everything else,"
replied Ned. "No doubt there are farm houses near."

This sat