“By the way, I wonder what his name really is?” said Lub.
“Ask him, Phil; he seems to think a heap of you already,” suggested X-Ray.
Accordingly Phil bent over the boy, while the others crowded around.
“We want to know whose boy you are, and what your name is, my little man. Do they call you Johnny at home?” he asked, and as clearly as possible.
The small urchin shook his curly head vigorously; he even in a measure returned Phil’s smile; and then started to make a series of unintelligible noises that sent a thrill through Phil’s heart.
The latter turned with piteous look toward his chums, whose faces reflected his expression of commiseration, almost horror.
“No wonder he didn’t say anything, boys!” exclaimed Phil; “for don’t you see the poor little chap is tongue-tied?”
[CHAPTER X—A RUDE AWAKENING]
“The poor little kid!” gasped warm-hearted Lub, as he impulsively threw an arm around the boy they were entertaining as their guest in camp.
Both X-Ray Tyson and Ethan also betrayed their intense interest by sympathetic looks that spoke volumes.