h that heaps o' times even the
sharpest nose cain't keep track o' a runaway coon. But if so be it's
Barker along with them keepers, he'll keep agwine to the last minit.
He's a stayer, he is, I tell yuh."

A little later they prepared to go to sleep. There was ample room for
Phil and Larry to make up their primitive beds on the seats of the
launch. Arrangements looking to this had been made in the beginning.
True, it was always a chance as to whether one of them in turning over
while he slept, might not roll off the elevated couch, and bring up at
the bottom of the boat; but they provided against this by raising the
outer edge of their mattress--really a doubled blanket over the seat
cushions.

When Tony joined them it was a question just where he might find room
to sleep. Not that the swamp boy was at all particular; for he could
have snuggled down on deck, or found rest in a sitting posture; for he
was used to roughing it.

On the preceding night they had tried having him occupy the bottom of
the craft; and it had seemed to work well; but Tony evidently could not
breathe freely when stowed away like so much cargo. So he had asked
the privilege of taking his blanket, and making himself comfortable on
the forward deck.

Thus it happened that his head was not far removed from that of Phil,
when the latter stretched himself out on his shelf, with his feet
toward the stern.

Larry was already breathing heavily, for he had the happy faculty,
which Phil often envied, of going to sleep almost as soon as his head
touched the pillow. Nor in making use of this word is reference made
to some time in the past, when the two young cruisers were at home in
their comfortable beds. Each of them owned a rubber pillow, which on
being inflated, afforded an easy headrest; and during the day took up
very little room, the air being allowed to escape in the morning.

On the first night out Larry had disdained to follow the example of his
more experienced chum, who had covered his rubber pillow with a towel.
Consequently Larry found that his face burned and itched all day, from
the drawing effect of the bare rubber; and on this occasion Phil noted
with secret satisfaction that the other was very particular to emulate
his example. Experience is the best guide; and Larry would never
forget the unpleasant sensation he had endured because of declining to
take pattern from the actions of the "one who knew."

The last thing Phil reme