"Brave boy!" commented Cub solemnly. "I'll take next-best place, immediately following your watch."
"Give me the one just before Bud's," said Hal. "There may be something doing between now and then you know. If anybody invades the camp at 1:30 o'clock sharp, I'll call Bud and go to bed and let him repel the invaders."
"What a methodical bunch of boys!" Mr. Perry exclaimed.
"Due to the mathematical training we've had under you, dad," Cub explained.
"I'll take the first watch, if it suits everybody," Max announced.
"Say, father, you ought to let us have your automatic while we're on watch," Cub suggested.
"Nothing doing," replied the cautious adult, shaking his head vigorously. "I'd rather run the risk of being wiped out by a band of bandits than to run the risk of your shooting one of us if we should happen to walk in our sleep. If any of you boys see or hear anything suspicious, just call me, and I'll do the shooting, if any is to be done. You may arm yourselves with some good stout clubs if you wish to, however."
And so it was thus arranged, and while Max took his post on a camp chair in front of the tent, the other four sought rest on their cots under the canvas shelter.
CHAPTER XXV
Bud Shoots