“Grace!  What’s that?  Over under that thick tree!”

“A man!  Let’s run!”

“And there is a big bag beside him,” whispered Grace.  “See the things sticking out of it!”

“No, I don’t want to see anything.  Run, I tell you!”

“Wait!  Maybe I could make this my bravery act.  Suppose I tie him with my strong rope?”

“Grace Philow!  Are you crazy?” and the more frightened girl attempted to drag the other away.  “Please—­don’t speak loud.  If he wakes I shall die.”

“No, don’t you dare!  Just keep still.  I am going to see if I can tie up one town tramp.  There are plenty loose, and this is my golden opportunity!”

CHAPTER III

A NOBLE DEED UNDONE

“Now Grace!  If you attempt to go near that dreadful man I shall scream and wake him up,” threatened Madaline, in real alarm.

“No, you won’t either.  You would be afraid to.  Hush, keep still.  I want to see if I can lasso his old bag.  Wouldn’t it be fine if I could rescue Mrs. Johnston’s washing?  You know it was stolen off her line two nights ago.”  With this the daring girl stole up more closely to the sleeping figure.

The quiet lull of the flowing river, as it fell over a little cascade, was acting as a potential lullaby to the wayfarer at the foot of the tree.  His figure was grotesque, but at the distance the girls were viewing him from it was not possible to discern more than a figure—­it might be that of almost any sort of a man, for all they could tell.

Grace untied her nice clean coil of rope, while Madaline besought her in every kind of cabalistic sign she could summon to her aid, to desist in her reckless intention of tieing the man to the tree.  But the temptation was evidently too much for the frolicsome Grace, for as Madaline cast a wild eye over her shoulder in her flight from the spot, she could just see Grace, tip-toeing up to that figure.

A few seconds later came a stifled cry!

“Wait, oh, Madie, wait!” called Grace, and, stopping in the briar path, Madaline glimpsed the imperturbable Grace, making her way through the thicket and dragging something heavy behind her!

“Mercy me!"’ exclaimed Madaline.  “What can she be tugging along!”

“Wait, help me!” now called Grace in a bolder voice.

“No, I will not!  Grace Philow, are you crazy?” gasped Madaline.

“Crazy, not at all,” sang out Grace in a laughing voice.  “I’ve got it!”

“Got what?” Madaline cried anxiously.

“Mrs. Johnston’s wash!”

“Oh, Grace, you will get us both arrested.”

“For recovering stolen property!  You have a fine sense of scout laws,” Grace retorted.  “If you don’t help me get out of the briars I shall report you to the captain—­if we ever find her,” and another laugh grated on the frightened ears of Madaline.

“I can’t help you, Grace,” Madaline replied in a more conciliatory tone.  “The briars are so thick here, they almost tore off my shoe—­ it is not laced tight, you know.”