They turned in early, for their rest had been broken on the preceding
night, and both the hunters were leg weary.
The last sound Frank remembered hearing was the mournful hooting of the
owls. The birds seemed to have a favorite roosting-place not far away,
and from time to time the tremulous sound of their calling drifted
through space.
Just how long he slept Frank did not exactly know. He awoke with a
sneeze, and sat up, rubbing his eyes.
"What's the matter?" exclaimed Jerry, also starting out of a sound sleep.
"I don't know--why, the tent's full of smoke! The camp must be on fire!
Wake up, everybody!"
As the two lads came crawling out of the canvas they were startled to
discover a heavy pall of smoke rising all around them.
CHAPTER XII
THE TELL-TALE MATCH-SAFE
"Wake up! wake up!"
Both Frank and Jerry shouted at the top of their strong voices. The
others came tumbling into view, and loud were their expressions of dismay
at the terrible sight that met their eyes.
"Get busy here, every one! Water wanted, and never mind your clothes!"
Even while he was speaking Frank jumped into action. The night air struck
home, and made him shiver, for he had just tumbled out from between the
snug folds of his blanket; but this was a time when delay might mean the
complete wiping out of the camp.
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