"Of course, you are right in what you say," agreed Nora. "He did miss and he did not shoot again, but I think you are drawing the long bow, darlin', in taking all the credit to yourself. What do you say, Hippy?" she asked solemnly.
"Nothing! Nothing at all. After I have had an opportunity to consult a dictionary perhaps I may make a few appropriate remarks."
The party, with the exception of Emma, after a hearty laugh, fell to discussing the incidents of the evening, particularly the mysterious shot that, perhaps, had saved Lieutenant Wingate's life. They were still discussing that mysterious occurrence when they rode up to their camp.
Washington Washington, who had been silent all the way home, perhaps thinking over the narrow escape that he had had from rough handling, suddenly set up a wail and began to chatter so fast that they were unable to make a single thing of what he was saying.
"Stop that!" commanded Hippy. "Have you gone crazy?"
"Something is wrong here, darlin'. Don't scold the boy," begged Nora Wingate.
"The tents are down. Washington, build a fire. Be quick about it," directed Grace, leaping from her pony.
Anne, who had reached what had been her own tent, uttered an exclamation of dismay.
"Girls, this tent has been slit into ribbons!" she cried.
"So has mine," cried Elfreda. "What has happened here?"