“We’re on a vacation,” he replied. “Five of us have a camp over on the other side of the divide. We’re just playing prospectors.”
“Very nice vacation for you all,” the other said, “but you ought to be more careful with your fires. You started a large conflagration yesterday.”
So the Boy Scouts were to be accused of that! Jimmie wished at that moment that the other boys were there. He wanted to tell this fat hypocrite what he thought of him and stand a fair show in the fracas which might follow.
“I don’t think we set any fires,” he said. “The fires started a long way from our camp.”
“I know what I’m talking about,” the other said.
Jimmie did not reply. He was wondering what would be the next move of the fat party, and whether Ned or the boys left in camp would be out to look him up before the morning.
“I am in charge of this district,” the other went on. “I’m Captain Slocum of the forestry force.”
Jimmie did not believe it, but did not say so. He only stared at the other in a manner which nettled his dignity.
“I have been watching you boys ever since you have been here,” Captain Slocum went on. “I didn’t know what you were up to, and so I watched.”
“Yes, sir,” said Jimmie, quite humbly, though angry enough to fight the man single-handed.