"I hope he isn't going to be sick," observed Bart, as the boys started back to the station. "We'll have to give up our camp if he is."
"Oh, he'll be all right," asserted Ned, confidently. "It was only the heat and the walk."
But when the boys returned with the remainder of the camp stuff two hours later, they found an unpleasant surprise awaiting them.
In the tent, stretched out on some hemlock boughs which they had cut before leaving, they found poor Fenn. He was very pale and his eyes were closed.
Frank entered softly and placed his hand on Fenn's head.
"He's got a high fever," he said, with alarm in his voice. "Fellows, I'm afraid Fenn's quite sick."
Frank's announcement seemed to strike a cold chill to the hearts of Ned and Bart. Sickness was something with which they had seldom come in contact, and they did not know how to proceed.
"I suppose we'd better get a doctor," ventured Ned.
"Where?" inquired Frank as he came from the tent. "There isn't one within five miles--maybe farther."
"Haven't we any medicine?" asked Bart. "I thought you said you brought some along."
"So I did," replied Frank. "Stuff for burns, cuts and stomach aches, but I don't know as it would be safe to give him anything when he has a fever."
"Have you got anything for a fever?" inquired Ned.
"Yes, some of those little, white tasteless pills, that come in small bottles. Homeopathic remedies they call 'em. I'll read the directions."
"He's talking!" exclaimed Frank, listening at the flap of the tent.
"Water, mother. Give me a drink of water," spoke the sick boy.
"Here, I'll get him a drink, and you read the directions on that bottle of pills," directed Bart. "Maybe we can give him some."
Fenn drank thirstily of the spring water Bart carried in to him, scarcely opening his eyes, and, when he did, he did not know his chum.
"The smugglers!" exclaimed the now delirious youth. "We'll catch 'em! Don't let Ruth fall into the cave. Look out!"
The boys were much frightened, especially Ned and Bart. Frank, from the experience he had had with his father, knew a little more than did the others about cases of illness. He read what it said on the bottle of pills and decided it would be safe to give Fenn several of the pellets.