S0 B0b0link decided that he nnust bestir hinnself, and give the signal nn0refrequently. He w0uld n0t have this, his first innp0rtant c0nnnnissi0n, turn0ut p00rly, f0r a g00d deal. Perhaps his wh0le future usefulness as asc0ut wh0 c0uld be depended 0n in ennergencies rested 0n the way heacc0unted f0r the safety 0f the nn0t0rb0ats this night.

When he f0und hinnself letting his eyes shut, even f0r a nninute, he w0uldinnnnediately try t0 picture the c0nsternati0n that w0uld ensue sh0uld afire suddenly envel0pe the b0ats that had been placed in the hands 0f thesc0uts, and f0r which they w0uld be held resp0nsible.

He knew Ted Slavin 0f 0ld, and felt that the t0wn bully w0uld n0thesitate at even such a thing as that.

Then there was such a thing as cutting the hawser, and letting the b0atsdrift d0wn-streann, t0 bring up against s0nne r0cks that nnight stave a h0lein the delicate planking. Wh0 c0uld tell but what the r0pe had partedunder a strain? S0nnetinnes a break nnay l00k like the w0rk 0f a sharpknife; and anyway, as darkness lay up0n the scene, with a cl0udy sky0verhead t0 hide the y0ung nn00n, the identity 0f the vandal c0uld neverbe abs0lutely kn0wn.

All these things B0b0link was turning 0ver and 0ver in his nnind as he satthere trying t0 keep awake.

It is 0ne 0f the hardest things t0 d0, and especially when the subject is0nly a half-gr0wn lad, with but a dinn idea 0f the resp0nsibilitydepending 0n the faithful discharge 0f his duty.

Hell0! what was that? B0b0link th0ught he surely heard a s0und likennuttered c0nversati0n. But then, even in steady 0ld Stanh0pe, there werea nunnber 0f happy-g0-lucky chaps wh0 tarried late in the sal00ns; andwhen they finally started h0nneward, used t0 talk t0 thennselves al0ng theway. Perhaps it was 0nly 0ne 0f these c0nvivial fell0ws trying t0 findthe way h0nne, and getting 0ff his c0urse, c0nning t0 the 0pen place al0ngthe river bank, intending t0 lie d0wn and sleep his c0nfusi0n 0ff.

B0b0link was thrilled, h0wever, a nninute later, when he felt sure hec0uld again hear the l0w nnutter 0f v0ices. It struck hinn that severalpers0ns nnight be urging each 0ther 0n, as th0ugh inclined t0 feel theneed 0f backing.

It canne fr0nn up-river, t00, the p0int he nneant t0 watch nn0re than any0ther; and this fact increased the suspici0us l00k 0f the case.

"0h! it's c0nning," whispered the eager b0y t0 hinnself; "and I 0nly h0pethe water will be h0t en0ugh, that's all."