“Your voice was free. Your lungs seemed to work all right,” suggested Bob.
“They might not, though, if it hadn’t been just as it was. When I tried to raise my head the string choked me, and I couldn’t use my hands to help me, either. That was a dangerous thing to do, Bob. I don’t believe in practical jokes. Why, do you know, I thought at first I was having the nightmare; but when I saw that great beast there, I knew I was only too much awake. No, Bob, you’ll have to be the one to stand guard to-night.”
“Makes no difference to me,” drawled Bob. “I’m entirely willing.”
It was evident that the other boys were as willing as he, and after Ben had given him his revolver, and all three had bestowed upon him many cautions and much advice, he was left to himself.
Bob waited until the sounds that came from the tent indicated that all within were asleep, and then he coolly entered, and selecting his own blanket and pillow, returned with them to the fire.
Before spreading them upon the ground, he stopped for a moment and seemed to be thinking intently upon some matter. The result of his deliberations became apparent, when he placed both blanket and pillow carefully behind one of the trees in a spot where they would not be seen by any one in the camp. Then he returned, and, cocking the revolver, advanced to the front of the tent.
Lifting his arm, as if he was aiming at the distant sky, he suddenly opened his mouth and emitted some screeches that might have made an Indian chief envious, and at the same time began to dance about and discharge the revolver.
“Hi! Yi! Yi! Hi! Yi! Yi!” he shouted.
The din caused by his unearthly cries, punctuated by the rapid discharge of the revolver, brought the startled inmates instantly to the door.
“Hi! Yi! Yi! Hi! Yi! Yi!” repeated Bob, dancing about with increased vigor, and at the same time discharging the last remaining chamber of the revolver as he beheld his frightened comrades.