"They're after our good grub, that's what!" suggested one, immediately.
"But they don't get it, if we know it," declared another, positively.
"We're for peace first, last and all the time, even if we have to fight for it," observed William, showing his white teeth with one of his famous grins.
"That's the ticket. We seek no quarrel with anybody; but we're like Paul Jones' flag of the Revolution, with a rattlesnake coiled, and the motto, 'don't tread on me!' Isn't that it, fellows?" exclaimed Wallace Carberry.
"Leave it to Paul here; he knows what to do," ventured Jack.
"Sure," called out Bobolink, lustily; "whatever Paul says goes with us. Think up a good one, please, Paul, and teach those pirates a lesson they'll remember. They've been wanting a good licking this long time back."
"After what we did to them only last night?"
demanded Jack. "If your left leg was sore this morning, what d'ye think the other fellow's felt like?"
"Thirty cents, I reckon," replied William, promptly.
Paul soon had his plan of campaign practically arranged. As it was plainly the intention of the marauders to steal a portion or all of their supplies, these were taken from the wagon and stored in the duplicate mess tent. As this happened to be in the middle of the camp the chances of any hostile force being able to reach it without attracting attention from those on guard seemed too remote to cause anxiety.