trol leader told them they ought to lie down and get some
rest.

"And when everything else fails," declared Step Hen, "why, Davy, here,
can always be counted on to furnish music for the band."

"Yes, waltz music," added Giraffe; "anyway, that's what he thought he
was giving us, the way he kicked around. P'raps, now, he believed he was
doing the turkey trot, all by himself."

But to all these taunts Davy made no response. Truth to tell he seemed
to be the sleepiest member of the set, and was seen to yawn numerous
times. In this way he managed to start some of the others going, so
that by degrees they were all exhibiting evidences of wanting to give
up.

Then there came the job of trying to make themselves fairly comfortable.
They had considered this matter before, and settled upon plans for the
campaign. There would be no cabin roof over their heads on this night,
only the branches of the big tree; but since there seemed little
likelihood of rain falling, they did not think they would miss this.

It was the bed part that gave them the most trouble. They had scoured
the immediate vicinity, and each scout had secured whatever he could lay
his hands on in the shape of weeds, or grass, or even small branches
from the tree--anything to make the ground seem a bit softer to his
body.

One liked this spot, while another had entirely different ideas; but
coached by Allan, who knew all about sleeping out without shelter, they
one and all kept their feet toward the fire, because that was the part
first affected by the cooling night air.

Several of them were already stretched out, for while they had arranged
a system of sentry duties, Allan was to take the first spell.

He and Thad stood looking at the actions of the other scouts as they
moved their rude beds here and there, striving to find spots where there
were no roots sticking up, that would poke into their sides or backs.

"They're a great bunch, all told!" remarked Allan, with a wide smile,
as he saw Bumpus slily stealing some of the bed of Step Hen, whose back
was toward him, adding it, handfuls at a time, to his own scanty stock.

"The finest ever," added Thad, warmly. "I don't see how we could have
improved on this patrol, if we'd searched through Cranford with a fine
tooth comb. Every one of them has his failings, just as all of us do;
but they're as loyal and happy-go-lucky a lot of boys as ever any one
knew. And Allan, I expect we'll have some glorious times