"Oh, close up!" growled a tired Ranger.
"I was just trying to help you," answered Chunky indignantly. "You
needn't get mad about it."
"No, don't grouch," laughed the captain. "We are losing too much time
as it is. Better roll in your blankets and go to sleep. The fire
will drive the fellow away."
Some of the men tried to sleep standing, leaning against trees. Others
took the chance and rolled in their blankets. But there was little
rest in the camp that night. About the time the men had settled down,
they would be awakened to their surroundings by that same trilling hiss.
It was beginning to get on the nerves of the Rangers. They were getting
mad. The Pony Rider Boys felt a sense of discomfort too, though none
showed any nervousness. It was not the first time the young explorers
had passed through such an experience. Just the same they would have
preferred to be in some other locality just then.
Finally Stacy went to sleep. When he woke up with a start, he tried
to recall what had been going on when he dropped off. Then he
remembered. He had been indulging in his famous imitation of an angry
serpent. Had any of the men been awake at the moment he might have
seen the fat boy's blanket shaking as if the boy were sobbing. But
Stacy Brown was not sobbing.
It was some moments before he had subdued his merriment sufficiently
to hiss again.
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