He was in just the mood to welcome a visitor who came then. The visitor was Murray's chum and crony, Bull Harris.
"Hello, old man," said he, pushing aside the tent flap. "What's up?"
"Go to blazes!" responded Murray, by way of answer.
"Come, come," said Bull, pleasantly. "You don't want to get mad with me, Gus. Tell me what's wrong."
"It's that confounded plebe!" snapped Murray.
"I thought so," said Bull. "Well, that's what my news is about. I've got a plot."
And the other's sullen glare gave place to a look of delight in an instant. He leaped to his feet with an exclamation of joy.
"By George, I knew it!" he cried. "Quick! quick! Out with it! Nothing's too desperate for me to-night."
"That's good," chuckled Bull. "Very good. Come, let us go and take a walk. This is a long story; and no one must overhear it, either."
Such is the effect of bad motives upon men. Those two precious rascals stooped instinctively as they hurried down the company street and dodged out of camp. Bull led his company down through "Flirtation Walk" and out to the far end of it. Here they scrambled down the hillside until they were in a lonely, deserted glen almost at the river's edge. It was already growing dark with the shadows of the evening. And here Bull stopped and took a seat.