"I haven't made up my mind," Bart answered. "I thought we'd better tell the rest of the nine, and then think up some plan to turn the joke on the Upside Downs."
"Maybe it would be just as well not to tell the others on the nine," suggested Frank.
"Why?"
"If you do, it will surely come to the ears of the first-year boys that we are onto their game. Then they may change their idea and be up to some dodge that we can't fathom. I guess we four can spoil their plans."
"Well, maybe that would be the best way," admitted Bart. "What do you propose?"
"Are there plenty of boards, planks and boxes around your barn, Fenn?" asked Frank.
"Lots of 'em."
"Then we'll set traps for our friends the enemy," said Frank. "They'll walk right into them."
Frank explained his plan more in detail as the boys rowed down stream. His idea was to build a series of traps all about the barn, covering every approach. The traps would be made of boxes and boards, so arranged that when a boy walked on them he would tumble off or slip into a box, and the racket made would apprise those on watch, in the barn, of the approach of the enemy. Then they could sally out, and, while the Upside Down boys were in confusion, could easily disperse them.
"That's fine!" exclaimed Bart. "The very thing! We must get right to work on it tonight."