rawled across that open space without being
exposed to the sharp eyes of the Maine boy.

Then Thad awaited the coming of the three men.

Just as Giraffe had declared, he could easily see that they were all
looking more or less angry. The big man in the middle interested him
much more than either of the others, of course; because he knew very
well that when Colonel Kracker took snuff, it was up to Waffles and
Dickey Bird to sneeze; for they were only shadows of the leader, who
always controlled their actions.

Thad had never seen just such a man before; but for all that he believed
that what he had said before was the truth. Red-faced, and looking like
a big hurricane let loose on the land, still back of all this outward
display of fierceness Thad felt sure there lay a really cowardly heart.
Yes, no brave man would act as Kracker had done, and when it came right
down to the point of facing death, he was pretty sure to quail.

Thad turned, and spoke a few reassuring words to Aleck.

"Remember, we don't mean to let him lay a finger on you, boy. I've
drawn a line out between that rock, and the scrub oak over yonder; and
if he crosses that we're going to make him wish he hadn't. There'll be
some work for me to do picking bird shot out of his fat legs, and
binding up his other wounds; for we've sure got to stop him coming in
to this camp, no matter what happens!"

It was a remarkable situation for the acting scoutmaster of a troop of
Boy Scouts to find himself in. Very few others could ever say they had
gone through a like experience, Thad thought. But then, that was no
reason he and his mates were bound to let this tyrant walk rough-shod
over them, and take Aleck away, to continue his harsh and inhuman
treatment of the lad. No, if it were necessary, in order to avoid such
a catastrophe overtaking them, he must give the command to fire on the
enemy, much as he would ever regret the necessity for such a step.

He wondered what the leading lights in the great organization would
say, should the circumstances ever be placed before them; but then,
scouts should acquit themselves manfully under any and all conditions;
and that was just what Thad meant to do now.

The men were now close enough to make sure that those facing them were
only boys. Thad could see that Kracker was looking closely, as though
anxious to settle that point first of all; and it agreed exactly with
the opinion he already entertained for the big prospec