"Understand then, that, later on, both of you, when not observed, are to take your guns and disappear. I will look to find you in that bunch of brush yonder to the right, and from that point we can watch the supply tent until something happens. I think the bait will be sufficiently attractive to tempt the man to make his move, meaning to steal the guns and ammunition, after which he hopes to leave us in the lurch. After we make sure that he is inside the tent, we can creep up and face him as he comes out laden with his booty. That is enough, since you understand," with which the captain laughingly arose to his feet and sauntered away, leaving the boys thrilled through and through. CHAPTER X SPRINGING THE TRAP "I WONDER if the plan will work?" remarked Roger, when he and Dick once more found themselves alone, the captain having sauntered over to where some of the men were joking, Andrew Waller being the life of the company. "If that torn part of a message meant anything," Dick told him, "and Captain Lewis is able to bait the trap in the right way, I believe this night will see the answer to the question that has been bothering us so long." "Meaning that we will learn who the traitor is?" continued the other. "Yes. Right now we are no nearer the truth than a week ago, you know, Roger. It may be any one of the three men we had in mind; or some one else, for that matter." "Look at Andrew Waller, Dick. He seems to be in high spirits! Do you think that is all put on for effect? From the way he acts no one could ever dream he had an evil thought in his heart for his comrades of the long trail." "As we exhausted that subject a long time ago, Roger, and have learned nothing new since, there's no use trying to figure things out. Better wait, and, as my father says, 'hold our horses' until the trap is sprung--if it ever is." "But, if we do trip him up," continued Roger, reflectively, "what do you believe Captain Lewis will do to the wretch?" "He has not given us even a hint on that score," Dick replied. "If the man is a traitor, and really tried to take our lives for pay, it seems to me it would be a shame if he were only drummed out of camp for such things. I know what Captain Clark would do if it rested in his hands." "Yes, and I can guess the answer there, too, Roger; because he is a soldier, with stern ideas of what treachery means. But Captain Lewis has a tender heart, for all he can be so firm. He is very fond of the men who have clung to his fortunes in this great journey into the unknown country of the West." "Do you really mean to say, Dick, he would forgive the rascal on that account?" demanded Roger, with a frown of displeasure on his face. "Not exactly that," hastily replied the other lad. "I am sure that he would not want to trust such a man again, but, at the same time, Captain Lewis would not believe it necessary to have the traitor shot, as a soldier would."