“I trust that you may not dream of your future home to-night,” teased Stacy as Emma said good-night.
“Don’t worry. You won’t be there,” retorted Emma airily. “And please sleep out doors so as not to influence our dreams,” she added.
The Overlanders were awakened several times that night by the eruptions of “Old Faithful,” but finally they ceased to hear it and slept soundly.
After breakfast next morning Stacy was directed by Jim Badger to go to the pool beyond the big geyser. This pool he called the “Little Fountain,” and appeared to be eager to have Stacy get there and finish his work as early as possible. The Overlanders thought this was because of the guide’s anxiety lest Chunky be interrupted by the Park guards on their early morning rounds.
Stacy gathered up a pair of trousers, two shirts, some handkerchiefs and socks, and with these partly dragging on the ground, his pockets full of bars of washing soap, he started for the “Little Fountain,” skirting the edge of the pine forest on his way. Tom and Hippy said they would be along in a few moments.
Not more than five minutes had elapsed since Stacy’s departure when he was heard to utter a yell. Hippy sprang out where he could see along the outer edge of the slim-treed forest.
“He’s at it again!” cried Lieutenant Wingate.
What he saw was the fat boy making for camp at top speed. Then Hippy discovered the cause of his companion’s haste. Two bears were on the trail of Stacy Brown and under full headway.
CHAPTER XVIII
PAJAMAS FLOAT ON HIGH