He banged away with a vim, and several shots made the echoes ring through the adjacent woods.
"They're gone," announced Frank, limping back to the vicinity of the fire.
"Did they hurt you?" demanded Bluff indignantly, as he saw Frank rubbing his barked shins.
"Well, not so that you could notice; but I fell over that rope you saw Jerry go down across, and which those rascals stretched here for that purpose. Nothing serious, beyond a few scratches," returned the other, forcing a smile.
"I wonder if they mean to follow us all the way and keep up this racket?" said Bluff. "Are we ever going to camp out without that crowd pestering us like a flock of hornets?"
"Wow! Talk to me about that, will you? A flock of hornets is good—for you, Bluff. I've got a few bumps myself, tumbling over that beastly rope. And what a ghastly trick, to tie up all our cooking things that way! The fellow who originated that joke ought to be put in the funny house over at Merrick," said Jerry.
"I hope they haven't dented all your nice aluminum ware, Frank," remarked Will.
"That would be a shame, and I value it so. But investigation doesn't seem to prove any serious damage, for which I'm glad."
"Hey, Frank, if you're getting out the arnica bottle, just remember that there are two of us in the same boat, will you?" sang out Jerry, also rubbing his legs.
"What did I say, fellows, about keeping guard? I tell you it's the only safe way when such a determined scamp as that Pet Peters is around. And after this I think we ought to make a regular practice of taking turns. I'm willing to sit up my share," went on Bluff.