“Oh, well, he’s pretty young and he’s probably scared,” he thought.
The rebels hung around the tents talking and the loyal party stood at somewhat of a loss near the fire. Buck was inclined to be more vigorous about it than Ted was.
“That Plum needs a good punch on the nose!” he declared, with emphasis.
“I guess he’d go home, punch or no punch,” grinned Ted.
“Yes, but he’d really draw those youngsters with him just on his own arguments. You ought to talk to them and try and keep them here with us.”
“I’m going to wait until morning before I say anything,” said Ted. “By that time some of the boys will have experienced a change of heart. Tonight they are scared and that will take time to work off. Did he try to win over all of you fellows?”
“Yes,” replied Charlie. “When you had gone to examine the rock he told us that the place was unsafe and that he was sure that some dangerous spirit was controlling the camp. Drummer asked him if he believed in ghosts and he said no, but he wasn’t going to stay in the camp any longer. He worked on the smaller fellows by saying that you would never give up until something serious happened to somebody, because the club was going to pay you and Buck something and if you didn’t make the camp a success you wouldn’t be paid.”
“Well, that is news to us,” Ted smiled to his chum.
“The same old argument every agitator uses when he wants to start trouble,” said Buck.
“Well, let’s turn in and forget it until morning,” advised Ted.