“Not in getting their caribou, anyway,” said X-Ray, uproariously, as he allowed his thoughts to go back to the time when he and Phil offered their leavings to the domineering financier, after he tried to make out he had first claim to the quarry that had been brought down.
As Phil had made all his preparations beforehand they experienced little difficulty in placing the trap. It was so arranged that the mink could not possibly get the attractive bait without setting the flashlight cartridge off; and if everything worked well his picture would be taken as neatly as though the photographer were present in person to superintend things.
“I hope this will be the beginning of a series of successful jobs along this same line,” Phil was saying, as after arranging things to suit his ideas they headed in the direction of camp once more.
“You haven’t given up the idea of visiting that beaver settlement, I hope, Phil?”
“Just as soon as we get the boy off our hands we’ll take it up,” he was told.
“While that is hanging over us I’d rather stay near home; because whether Baylay comes in the dead of night, or by the light of the sun I want to be there to meet him.”
“And the rest of us would rather have it that way, I’m sure,” admitted Ethan, which was enough in itself to show how the balance of the Mountain Boys had come to depend on Phil as their leader. “But if you feel so sure none of that crowd will venture out to-night, is that going to make any change in our regular program of keeping watch, Phil?”
“No, I don’t see why it should,” came the ready response. “It’s a good habit to get into, and the more we practice it the better we can stand our stint without feeling like going to sleep on post.”
“I half expect you’re looking for a visit from Baylay,” ventured Ethan, shrewdly.
“That depends a good deal on whether he knows about our being here,” he was told.