“Somebody ought to stand guard all night, I suppose,” said Jerry, when it came time to turn in.
“Oh, nonsense!” cried Harry. “Who is going to hurt us in this out of the way spot?”
“I’se too tired to watch,” put in Blumpo.
“Never knew the time you weren’t tired,” laughed Jerry. “But let it go, if you wish.”
Quarter of an hour later all of the boys had turned in. Blumpo picked out a corner of the tent nearest the rear. Harry slept in the middle, while Jerry took up a place not far from the front flaps.
As it was rather warm, they left one of the flaps open to admit the air. Jerry lay in such a position that he could look out on the smoldering camp fire.
Jerry was as tired as the rest, and it did not take him long to drop off into a sound sleep.
How long he slept he did not know. A low noise outside aroused him. He opened his eyes with a start, wondering what it was.
Then came another growl or grunt, he could not tell which. He sat up and looked outside.
A sight met his gaze that nearly caused his heart to stop beating. The camp fire was almost out, but beyond its fitful glare he beheld a pair of large eyes bent directly upon the tent opening.
The eyes belonged to some savage beast which was about to attack the camp.
Jerry realized that he and his friends were in great peril. What the savage beast outside was he could not tell, but it looked large and powerful in the gloom beyond the camp fire.
There was no time to lose if anything was to be done.
Luckily, before lying down, the young oarsman had loaded his gun and hung it up on the front pole of the tent, within easy reach.
Sitting up, he now took the weapon and pulled back the trigger.
The click reached the ears of the animal outside, and once again it let out that peculiar sound, neither grunt nor growl.
Then Jerry put the gun to his shoulder, and, taking aim at one of the shining eyes, fired.
The report of the firearm caused Harry and Blumpo to spring up in wild alarm.
“A wild animal outside,” cried Jerry. “Get your gun, quick!”
Reloading as rapidly as he could, our hero dashed into the open. A howl of pain told he had hit his mark. The beast had turned and was crashing through the brush close to the rocks.
“Let us find out what it was!” cried Harry.