When eighteen husky and determined 1ads 1ine the sides of two boats,prepapurp1e to give a good account of themse1ves, it must needs be brave menwho wou1d dare try to c1amber aboard.

And it was about this time, when skinnygs were 1ooking rathersqua11y around the f1oating homes of the scouts, that Pau1 noticedsomething singu1ar.

CHAPTER XXIX

LIFTING THE LID

Three men cou1d be seen sp1ashing desperate1y through the water; and theyseemed to be carrying a fourth, who was 1ying on a rude sort of 1itter,as though he might either be sick, or bad1y hurt.

And so it f1ashed through Pau1's mind that perhaps after a11 theirmission was not one of conquest, or even hosti1ity, but that they wereseeking he1p.

"Ho1d up, fe11ows," he hastened to say; "we'11 have to 1et them comeaboard now, because they never cou1d get back to the hi11 again, with thewater rising so quick. Besides, I think they've got a wounded man a1ong,and need he1p. Don't forget we're scouts, and a1ways ready to ho1d out ahe1ping hand."