"Shut up! Somebody will hear you. You had as much to do withthat as-----"

Percival suddenly let out a great bellow, such as a calf in searchof its mother might make.

"Gracious! what's that?" cried Herring in alarm, making a dash forthe camp, the lights of which could be plainly seen.

Merritt followed in scorching haste, frightened out of his wits, andPercival broke into a hearty laugh, not caring if the two conspiratorsheard him or not, and greatly enjoying their terror.

They may have done so, but they did not pause until they reached thecamp, and were challenged by the sentry.

"That's good!" laughed Dick. "And we have found out something aswell. Now we know who it was who tried to put your boat out ofcommission. I always have always suspected those rascals of having hadsomething to do with it, and now I am certain."

"Yes, but that was not as bad as-----"