“That would be fine,” replied Chunky. “But I don’t see any around. No, I’m going to make it of grass.”
He proceeded to pull a lot of long bladed herbage from the bank of the river, and soon had himself a soft nest under the shelter of the tent.
“Guess I’ll beat you all at sleeping to-night,” said Bob, as he stretched out in his clothes on the grass. The others had wrapped themselves up in their blankets.
“Go ahead,” murmured Ned. “I’m satisfied with what I’ve got. I could sleep on a bare plank.”
Soon deep breathing told that all the occupants of the camp were far off in slumber-land. It was after midnight when all the others were suddenly aroused by a series of frightened yells from Bob.
“Something’s got me! It’s got hold of my foot! It’s dragging me to the river!” he cried.
Ned and Jerry leaped to their feet. Jerry grabbed his gun which was near him on the ground. The professor snatched down the lantern from a pole in front of the tent and flashed it in Bob’s direction.
“It’s an alligator!” yelled Ned, pointing to some big black object. “Fire, Jerry!”
Jerry raised his rifle, but, as he did so Bob pulled his foot away from whatever creature had hold of him and ran toward his companions who had gathered in a group some distance from the tent.