Giraffe grinned, and nodded his head.
“The boys are comin’ all right,” he said, as if pleased; “just like I said they’d be apt to do. Now, just sit where you are, Bumpus, and make out to be as happy as a king. We’ll make ’em believe we’re quite at home at this sort of thing; and the only thing we’re sorry for is that we can’t offer ’em a nice hot bird apiece. Look pleasant, now.”
Presently they caught what sounded like the low murmur of voices, and they seemed to be approaching too. It did not occur to the two scouts that the parties were coming from a direction opposite to the camp where their chums had been left; partly because they had not the remotest idea where that same camp lay.
Now they could hear the swishing of bushes, as though the newcomers were not very particular about how they walked. Then it must be Step Hen or Davy Jones who made all the noise, because they were greenhorns, and did not know how to walk noiselessly.
“I c’n see ’em comin’,” remarked Bumpus, who happened to be sitting in a position that allowed of his using his eyes.
“Remember, now, what I told you; just be feelin’ as fine as silk, as if this camp business was an old story with us,” and to further the deception Giraffe started to stretch his arms, and yawn at a tremendous rate.
Bumpus did not answer; and thinking this a little strange the tall scout turned his eyes that way. He discovered that Bumpus was staring as though his eyes would almost pop out of his head. That, of course, made Giraffe twist his long neck half way around, so that he might share in what had aroused his companion to such a state of excitement.
And Giraffe also experienced a decided thrill when he saw two men come half staggering into camp, who from their looks he knew must be Si Kedge and Ed Harkness, the rough and lawless game poachers and bullies of the pine woods.