"Did you catch 'em?" asked Russ eagerly.
"No, they had gone. I guess you children scared them away," replied the marine.
"Were there really tramps there?" asked Mrs. Bunker.
"Yes, we found a place where they had made a sort of camp," was the answer of her husband. "They had built a fire and had been cooking something in empty tomato cans. Whether they took alarm as we approached, or left because they heard the children talking, I don't know; but the place was deserted."
"I'm glad our bungalow isn't near here," said Mrs. Bunker.
"Yes, I don't like tramps myself," remarked Captain Ben. "I'll tell the police of this place, and have them watch. Lots of cottagers and bungalow owners will soon be leaving and closing their places for the winter, and it is then that tramps often break in and take things. The police must be told, and they will be on the watch."
The six little Bunkers, with their father, mother, and Captain Ben, were soon in the motor boat again and on their way to the bungalow. The children talked so much about the ragged men, or the tramps, as they called them, that at length Mrs. Bunker said very firmly:
"Now, my dears, please stop! First you know you'll be dreaming about these poor men, and then, perhaps, some of you will walk in your sleep, as the little River boy did."
"It must be fun to walk in your sleep!" laughed Laddie.
"You did it once, when you were smaller," said his father.