“Don’t you know?” asked Frank.
“I can’t imagine.”
“It was that bully, Hank, of course. I saw him monkeying near your lashings when I made up, but I didn’t think, then, that he was up to any tricks. But I’ll pay him out all right.”
“Say, don’t get into trouble on my account,” begged his brother.
“Oh, I won’t get into any trouble, don’t worry,” was the answer. “But I’ll pay him back all right,” Frank murmured as he leaped up into his swinging bed.
Neither Frank nor Ned rested well that night. Ned on account of the pain in his hip, and Frank because he was wondering why Hank, or any one, for that matter, should have such a grudge against him or his brother as to cut the hammock ropes.
“I guess Hank, who did it, just wanted to play a mean trick,” thought Frank. “But I’ll have it out with him just the same. He needs a lesson!”
Ned groaned as he tried to get out of his hammock the next morning.
“Stiff?” asked Frank, who tumbled out at reveille.
“Dead lame, I’m afraid. I’ll have to report sick, I guess.”