better stay with you. If Ham and Carl did come back you couldn't manage them alone."
"I could if I had a shotgun."
"Oh, you wouldn't want to shoot anybody, Snap!"
"No, but I could scare 'em off."
"I've got an idea," cried Whopper. "Why not fix it so as to give them a warm reception—if they do come," and then he explained what he meant.
In the end it was decided that Snap and Shep should remain at the boathouse, and Whopper ran off to tell their folks and to get a few things. As the boys were used to outings the youths' parents thought little of their staying away that night, and only sent word back that they should keep out of mischief.
"We'll keep out if we are left alone," said the doctor's son, grimly.
Whopper had brought with him an old tin pail containing some hot water and half a pound of flour. This was stirred up into a thick flour paste, and to give it the "proper flavor," as Snap suggested, they broke into the mixture two ancient eggs which one of the party had picked up.
Joe Bright had been sent away, with instructions to say nothing about what was going on at the
