human
Did you make that out here to-night?
gpt
Sure--why not?
human
Well, you're some boy, all right. I'd never 'ave thought of it. If anybody means mischief around here, he'd better look out, with a weapon like that in your hands.
gpt
You bet he had, Bud returned with a sturdiness of purpose, indicating to his Canadian friend that he meant business.
human
And there's at least one prawler around here already. I'm glad you came out here, for I was just about to come in and wake up the whole camp.
gpt
Is that so? whispered Max.
human
Why, what's doing?
gpt
I don't want to let on that I know anybody is prowling about, Bud replied;
human
I won't, Max replied excitedly.
gpt
Why don't you shoot at him?
human
I don't want to do that unless I have to, Bud replied.
gpt
Besides, I'd like to know what he's up to. Why did you come out here? Couldn't you sleep?
human
I didn't sleep a wink; I couldn't. My head was in a whirl all the time. I was busy imagining just such things as this. Believe me, it was some spooky job, out here all alone.
gpt
Yes, that's true, Bud agreed.
human
I'm glad enough to have your company. By the way, you haven't explained how you happened to come here with Mr. Perry. We're mighty glad to have you here, but I was wondering how your folks happened to let you come.
gpt
Mr. Buckley is my uncle, Max replied.
human
I called him up and told him what was going on out here, and he asked me to come along.
gpt
Oh, that's it, Bud returned.
human
I was wondering if you Canadian boys are way ahead of us Yankee boys when it comes to doing as you please. My father wouldn't let me come on this trip if Mr. Perry hadn't come along.
gpt
I guess we're not much different from you Yankees, Max replied.
human
But, talkin' about doing as you please, it seems to me that you went pretty far when you made that slingshot after Mr. Perry said you mustn't have a pistol.
gpt
Oh, that's nothing like a pistol, Bud replied.
human
You couldn't kill anybody with it.
gpt
I don't know about that, Max answered with a shake of his head.
human
I wouldn't like to be in front of it when you shot. I bet you could knock a fellow silly with it.
gpt
Maybe I could. Well, anyway, a slingshot's a long way from being a pistol. Have you made that fellow out yet?
human
Yes, you bet I have, answered Max.
gpt
I've seen 'im move several times.
human
Let's sit down and pretend not to suspect that anybody's watching us, Bud proposed.
gpt
Then maybe he'll be a little bolder.
human
All right, but we'll have to keep a close watch out of the corner of our eyes.
gpt
Sure. Come on. Here are a couple of chairs.
human
Let's sit down facing each other, so that nobody can creep onto us unawares,
gpt
That's a good idea,
human
This experience has proved one thing, Bud remarked in the course of their continued discussion,
gpt
Yes, a single watcher gets pretty lonesome, and, besides, it's too easy for him to be taken by surprise. Now, there's a sample of what I say. Don't look yet; he'll know we see him. He's moved, farther to the east, and now he's creeping up behind the tent.
human
We must make sure that he's alone, or else rouse the rest of the camp, said Bud excitedly.
gpt
Keep watch in every direction. I'll turn slowly and get a look at him, and then turn back and pretend not to see him.