Not even a derisive howl was sent after Bluff. He seemed to have effectually cowed the rowdies. Perhaps it was the last straw that broke the camel’s back, and they had really gone through so much lately that the limit had been reached.
Bluff presently landed directly beside his chums.
“Well done, old fellow!” said Will, hastening to pat him on the back.
“It was as fine a piece of bluff as I ever put up,” grinned the paddler as he stepped ashore, holding the redoubtable gun in his hand.
“How so?” demanded Will, curious to know.
“Why, the gun isn’t in a condition to use. I had it at a locksmith’s, and thought I’d bring it along if he had mended it. Said he had, but didn’t have time to finish putting all the parts together again. I said I could do that easily enough in camp, and fetched it along,” replied the other, chuckling.
“Then it wasn’t loaded at all?” asked Will.
“Of course not; but then they didn’t know that, you see. It was a case of where ignorance was bliss. Answered the purpose all right. You noticed they let me alone.”
“Now I see where you got your name; but that was a time when bluffing was worth while. Come and sit down here and have some breakfast,” remarked Frank.
He was looking closely at the returned wanderer, as if trying to decide whether he brought good news or bad.