d removing to a little distance, placed his back
against a tree. There he sat, like a dim statue as time crept on, his
rifle on his knees, and doubtless all his senses constantly on the alert
for signs that would indicate the coming of the enemy.

When, according to his way of thinking, he had stood watch for half of
the night, Francois crept around to the other end of the shelter, and
touched the form of the old Cree. Not a single word was exchanged
between them, but Tamasjo, crawling out, took the other's place, as
though it were a part of his business to sit up nights.

What if there was no alarm, the boys enjoyed better security while they
slept, and secured more energy for the following day's work. Men do not
always anticipate trouble when they place a guard over the camp; but, in
case it does come, there is always the consciousness of having taken all
needful precautions. It is on the same principle that a wise man insures
his house, though never believing that a fire is going to visit him. He
wants to make sure, that is all.

Had some of the scouts been on post during that night, they might have
experienced several little alarms, through noises they would hear, which
were strange to their ears. Not so the guides, who had spent all their
lives amidst these Northern scenes, so that every minute denizen of the
woods was as familiar to them as the game of baseball might be to Jimmy,
versed, as he was, in all its fine points.

To them the various fretful voices of the little animals, who doubtless
wondered what business these two-legged pilgrims had stopping on their
preserves, were to be looked on as only a means of safety. So long as
they continued to hear them near by, they knew that all was well. A
sudden silence would have made either one of the guides suspicious,
because these sharp-eared rodents could catch the movement of creeping
men much sooner than any biped was capable of doing; and hence, a
cessation of their complaining would indicate danger to the sleeping
camp.

When Jimmy opened his eyes he saw that the morning had come. It did not
look as cheerful as he would have liked, for the sky was threatening,
and what seemed like a cold fog was stealing through the woods, drifting
in probably from the great salty bay, so near at hand.

Of course, the waking of one was the signal for the entire five to be
stirring. Indeed, once they opened their eyes, the boys were only too
glad to creep out from their sh