“Seems to me you ain’t afraid of anything, Frank. That crazy man gets on my nerves, and I don’t think I could stand for a tussle with him at close quarters. Better be careful how you let him get hold of you. They say these lunatics are just as strong as grizzly bears, and this one must be, to see the way he swung about in that tree like a big ape. Ugh! Excuse me!”
Bluff shuddered as he spoke, and consequently did not see the look that passed between his two chums, and which was more of amusement than concern.
CHAPTER XXIII—THE WHITE FLAG
“What time of day is it?” asked Jerry presently.
He had evidently lost all track of time while a prisoner in the cabin.
“Just ten o’clock,” replied Frank. “What’s become of your watch, pard?”
“Decorating the vest of Waddy, just now, though I have hopes of wearing it again after he’s tired of it,” grinned Jerry.
“Hope we get fixed up again before night. I’m thinking all the while of a bully camp dinner. Say, wasn’t this the day the girls promised to come over and bring us some home grub?” asked Bluff suddenly.
“Just as you say, and they’ll be along this afternoon on schedule time. Too bad if they have that long row for nothing. I expected to have dinner waiting for them when they got here, and then we could take them home in the canoes. This rumpus has upset all our plans,” remarked Frank dismally; for secretly, Violet Milton had promised to cook a dish that was an especial favorite of his and bring it over, to prove her accomplishments in the culinary line.
“Oh, I hope it may all turn out right yet. Now, that reminds me of my plan. If we could only force these two rascals to surrender it would shorten our stay out in the bush, and we could make for the beach, call Will ashore, and have our tents up again in a jiffy.”