CHAPTER X.
TOM SURPRISES THE CAMP.
The sun was just appearing above the tree-tops on the following morning, when the camp was shaken by a report which caused the boys to leap from their beds and rush out into the open space. So startled were they that the absence of Jock was not perceived; but when they discovered him on the bank, and a cloud of smoke could also be seen floating over the river, they knew at once the cause of the alarm.
The presence of a small brass cannon on the ground near where Jock was standing would have revealed the cause of the excitement if nothing else had; and, as Jock laughingly turned to greet them, he said:—
“That’s the signal to get up, boys. Ethan will be here soon, and we don’t want to delay breakfast.”
“Where did you get it, Jock?” said Bert, eagerly examining the cannon as he spoke. “It’s a beauty!”
“Oh, I brought it with me, but I hadn’t had a chance to mount it before. We wanted something to salute the sun with, to say nothing of the yachts and steamers that pass us every hour or two.”
“You don’t know how you frightened me,” said Bob, slowly. “I almost thought the British had come back for us.”
“Look out at that smoke, will you, fellows?” said Ben, pointing to the little cloud which could still be seen. “What do you think it looks like?”
“What does it look like, Ben?” inquired Jock.