After some hard tramping through underbrush and over fallen trees, which the boys did not seem to mind (though they would have growled if they had been obliged to do it) they came to a little clearing. They were about to cross it when there came a sudden hail:
“You fellows can’t come here!”
“I’d like to know why?” inquired Bart without seeing who had spoken.
“Because I’m here on guard to see that no one passes,” and at that the boys glanced up, to see Sandy Merton, with a little target rifle in his hands, standing on the other edge of the clearing.
CHAPTER XIV
PECULIAR OPERATIONS
For a few seconds the boys were too surprised to make any answer. They saw that Sandy was standing in front of a tent, partly hidden by the woods.
“What are you talking about?” demanded Bart. “Are you playing soldier, Sandy?”