ather small tinder on his own
account.

"Mind you," he observed a minute later, as though half regretting his
action in squelching Step Hen so soon; "if anybody feels like lending a
hand to gather fuel, why there ain't nothin' against _that_; and we'll
have that bully old coffee all the sooner, you understand."

This sort of subtle persuasion seemed to at least stir Davy Jones into
life, for getting slowly to his feet, he began to collect larger wood,
and throw it down close to where the energetic fire-builder was starting
to make his blaze.

Giraffe was a real fire worshipper. He dreamed of his pet hobby; and
many times could be seen, apparently idly whittling a stick; when, if
asked what he was doing, his reply would invariably be:

"Well, we might want to start a fire some time or other; and then these
shavings'd come in handy, you see."

On several notable occasions this weakness of Giraffe's had managed to
get him into more or less trouble; and the sagacious scout leader
finally had to take him to task. So on this mountain hike it had been
agreed between them that Giraffe would refrain from attempting his
favorite role of making miscellaneous fires at odd times, if allowed to
build all the camp-fires of the trip.

And so far he had really kept his word, though there were times when the
temptation nearly overcame his scruples.

When Thad and the other two came back, darkness had settled over the
scene. This came all the sooner on account of the high walls that shut
them in on either side; though just beyond the boys believed there must
be some sort of an open spot, in the way of a valley.

"I'm glad to see that you made a fine fireplace for cooking, Number
Six," remarked the patrol leader, as he looked around; "because we may
spend a day or so right here, resting up a bit. Now, while supper is
getting underway I'm going to tell you a few things that are apt to
interest you some. They concern our comrade Bob White here, and he's
given me full permission to say what I'm going to."

"There, Step Hen, what did I tell you?" cried Bumpus, gleefully. "Next
time just get a throttle grip on that bump of curiosity of yours."

"I've heard my maw say people that live in glass houses hadn't ought to
heave any stones," retorted the other, witheringly.

But the boys quickly forgot all their differences, once Thad started to
tell of the strange things which he had heard from Bob White.

There was an intaking of the br