dn't think to bring a portable dark
room along, so he could develop his films in the daytime," said Paul,
after listening a minute; "and Jud is explaining to the novice that with
his new film tank there's no need of any such thing, for he can do all
that work right in the tent at noon."

Many other subjects were discussed about that blazing fire, and much
information passed around.

Strict discipline was maintained in camp, just as though the scoutmaster
himself were present to enforce it.

At the hour appointed, Bobolink tooted his bugle, and immediate
preparations for retiring commenced. Twenty minutes later taps sounded,
and every light had to go out save the one fire that occupied the centre
of the camp.

Three sentries paced to and fro, and they had been given to understand
that any failure to keep constant watch would meet with prompt
punishment. They knew that Paul meant to enforce his orders; and
suspecting that he might creep out under the rear of his tent to make a
secret rounds, they were one and all determined that nothing should
cause them to fail in their duties.

Paul was asleep in his tent with two of his mates, when something
suddenly awoke him. He sat up to listen, and again heard the sound. It
was a dull thud, as of a hard object falling to the ground. Then came a
distinct splash in the nearby lake.

"What in goodness can it be?" he thought, as he listened for a
repetition of the strange sounds. "Hello! what's going on, Paul?" Jack
asked at that moment, raising his head as if he too had been awakened by
the several thumps, and wondered what his chum was doing sitting up.

"That's what I'm trying to guess," replied Paul, quietly.

"Sounds as if it was hailing to beat the band!" exclaimed Jack, as a
series of continuous thumps came.

Just then some one burst in at the open flap of the tent. It proved to
be Bluff Shipley, who had been appointed sentry from the Red Fox
Patrol.

"Paul, c-c-come out here, q-q-quick!" he cried, in considerable
excitement; and as this condition was always bad for the poor fellow's
twisted tongue, he began to "fall all over himself," as Jack expressed
it, when he attempted to go on and explain what had happened.

In the jumble, however, Paul caught something that gave him the clue he
wanted--"Ted Slavin" and "rocks!"

He quickly got inside some clothes, not even waiting in his hurry to
remove his pajamas. When he crawled out of the tent he found a number of
the