“Why not have half of the gang stay here in camp while half of us go out and trail him?” asked Buck, eagerly. “We could see where he is going, and if he is coming down this way for any foolishness we’ll have him red-handed.”
“That’s true. All right, I’m willing, but we can’t all go, because he would surely hear the noise made by twenty of us. One of us must stay here in the camp with the boys, and four or five of us can get on his trail.”
“Oh,” said Buck, with less enthusiasm than before.
“I’ll stay here in camp if you want to do the trailing,” spoke up Ted, quickly, aware of Buck’s disappointment.
“I’ll stay with the boys and take care of them,” said Ralph Plum, stepping forward. The chance of authority was a welcome one and he had no personal desire to climb the mountain after the man with the lantern. The two leaders looked at him in a moment of doubt, but his size impressed them, and as both of them wished to do the trailing, they consented.
“All right, you can take charge of the boys,” nodded Ted. “Bob and Charlie, Drummer, Buck and I will do the trailing. See to it that the lanterns are put back in the truck before you turn in or even as soon as possible, Ralph.”
“All right,” said the new camp director. “You kids get busy and put those lanterns in the wagon.”
“That’s no wagon, it’s a truck,” retorted one boy.
“Never mind any back talk. I’m in charge of this camp and I don’t want any suggestions from anyone,” was the loud answer.
“You won’t be in charge any longer than I can help it,” thought Ted, as he lighted his lantern.