n that made him uncertain of the other.

"Fix it?" the first speaker retorted with a low chuckle, "of course
I can fix it, and fix his winning the prize, too."

"There's some mischief going on," thought the young joker. "I
wonder what it is?"

The voices he had heard had come from the next tent, but whether
it was the next on the right or the left he could not tell, not
knowing whether he may have turned in his sleep or not, having a
habit of finding himself in all sorts of queer positions when he awoke.

While he was thinking the matter over, and trying to locate the tent
from which the voices proceeded he fell asleep, his pain having left
him for a time.

He did not know how long it was when he was awakened again, as well
by the pain as by hearing voices.

"That will do first rate," he heard some one say, and then he thought
he detected a light in the tent next to his.

Young Smith was fast asleep, and oblivious of everything, "and Billy
did not think it worth while to arouse him.

"They won't notice the difference?" asked either Merritt or Holt,
Billy was not certain which.

"No, and now to put it back."

"Put what back, I wonder?" said Billy to himself, as he sat up.

"And give the doctor a surprise."

"Huh! he won't be the only one surprised!" growled some one, and
Billy thought it was Herring this time.

"That fellow is up to some mischief," he muttered, "and I must find
out what it is."

Then he jumped out of bed, put on his trousers and shoes, and crept
softly outside.

CHAPTER XIV

BILLY'S NOCTURNAL ADVENTURE

It was dark in the camp, but Billy, as he stole out of the tent,
could distinguish a dark form moving swiftly down the camp street,
and followed without making any noise, taking care to keep as much
as possible in the shadow.

Unless the person he was following should happen to look around,
there was very little danger of his being seen, but he took all the
precautions he could to avoid being detected.

"It is not a thief," he said to himself, "and it isn't any one who
has designs on one of the boats. He left that tent, but who is he
and what does he want?"

The silent figure, moving rapidly forward, presently left the line
of tents, and made for the cottage occupied by the doctor.

"I wonder if it is the doctor walking in his sleep?" thought Billy.
"That would be a great joke, wouldn't it?"

He thought he saw a flash of light for a moment, but was not sure
of this