“Why not?” demanded Dave grimly, opening his eyes very wide.

Dick laughed softly by way of answer.

“I’d just as soon have a tramp chewed up as have our food supplies vanish,” Darry maintained.

“Little David, your temper has the upper hand of you at this moment,” laughed Prescott.

“When that temper is on top you’re dangerous—–­almost bloodthirsty.  When your temper is in check you’re as kind and gentle as any good-natured fellow.  You wouldn’t really want to see any human being mangled by a bull-pup’s teeth.”

“Well, maybe not mangled,” Darry agreed.  “But I don’t believe Harry’s pup would do any more than take hold—–­and keep hold.”

“We won’t have the pup, anyway,” Dick replied, in a low voice.

“Why not?” Dave again demanded.

“Because, as you know well enough, Harry’s father was afraid the pup would only get us into trouble by chewing up someone, and so declined to let us bring the dog.”

“That was a shame,” Dave insisted.

“I don’t think so.  If six of us can’t take care of one stray tramp, not much larger than any of us, then we’re too tender, and ought to be sleeping in little white cribs at home.”

“Oh, stop that talk!” urged Dave.

“I mean what I said,” Dick retorted.  “We’re big enough, and numerous enough, to guard our own camp.”

“Of course we are; but we’ll have to give up some sleep to accomplish that,” Dave contended.

“Whoever loses sleep in the night time can make it up in the day time.  And now, Darry, get to bed!”

“But we’ve got to remain on watch.”

“You’ll feel bad, in the morning, if deprived of your sleep.  I’ll stay up for a while yet, and then call Tom Reade.”

“So I’m no good for guard duty, eh?” snorted Darry.

“Not a bit,” said Dick cheerfully.  “You’re as sleepy and as cross as can be, right at this minute.  Go and tuck in, Davy.”

Darrin snorted again, then glared at Dick’s placid face.  Suddenly Dave broke into a hearty chuckle, slapping his chum on the back.

“You’re all right, Dick,” he declared.  “You know how to keep your temper, talk smoothly, and yet hit harder than if you used a club.  No, sirree!  I’m not cross, even though I may be tired.  I’m not cross, and I can thrash into subjection any fellow who dares hint that I’m cross, or that my temper is on a rampage.  You go and turn in, Dick.”

“Not yet.”

“Then we’ll both stay up and watch together.”

“I’ll tell you what,” proposed Dick.

“Well?”

“Bring your cot out here.  I’ll let you sleep for an hour by my watch.  Then I’ll call you, and you hold the watch and let me sleep for an hour.  There is no sense in both of us losing our rest at the same time.  Yet, if either fellow needs the other, he’ll have him right under his hand.”

“All right,” nodded Dave.  “Anything, as long as I’m not accused of being a sleepy head.”