[Illustration: THE JOLLY ROVERS WERE OFF AT LAST _Canoe Boys and CampFires_]

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[Illustration: THE FIVE MILE WALK WAS A TRIFLE TO THE BOYS--Page 110]

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CANOE BOYS AND CAMPFIRES

Or, Adventures on Winding Waters

BYWILLIAM MURRAY GRAYDON

Author of "From Lake to Wilderness, " "With Puritan and Pequod, ""The Camp in the Snow, " etc. 

ILLUSTRATED

THE WORLD SYNDICATE PUBLISHING CO. CLEVELAND--NEW YORK

Made in U. S. A. 

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Copyright, 1907, byChatterton-Peck Company

PRESS OFTHE COMMERCIAL BOOKBINDING CO. CLEVELAND

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

 I. INTRODUCING THE BOYS 9

 II. PLANNING THE TRIP 17

 III. THE CRUISE BEGINS 23

 IV. ADRIFT IN THE DARKNESS 32

 V. DISAPPEARANCE OF NUGGET 40

 VI. THE LOST FOUND 48

 VII. BATTERS AND JOE 57

 VIII. HOW THE DAY DAWNED 74

 IX. A SAFE SHELTER 82

 X. A TRAMP ACROSS COUNTRY 90

 XI. SEARCHING FOR THE CAMP 99

 XII. OVER THE CLIFF 107

 XIII. WHAT CLAY SHOT 116

 XIV. CAUGHT IN THE WHIRLPOOL 125

 XV. RANDY'S PROPOSITION 133

 XVI. A SHATTERED DELUSION 142

 XVII. THE STORM BREAKS 149

 XVIII. AT THE MERCY OF THE TEMPEST 156

 XIX. ADRIFT ON A LOG 163

 XX. MR. DUDE MOXLEY 170

 XXI. A MYSTERIOUS WARNING 178

 XXII. AN INSOLENT DEMAND 185

 XXIII. A DARING ATTEMPT 192

 XXIV. AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER 200

 XXV. THE SIEGE BEGINS 207

 XXVI. BUG'S PROPOSITION 215

 XXVII. THE BURNING OF THE MILL 222

 XXVIII. A GOOD DEED 229

 XXIX. RANDY GOES SAILING 236

 XXX. A NIGHT ALARM 243

 XXXI. STORMY WEATHER 250

 XXXII. THE BROKEN DAM 257

 XXXIII. AN UNDERGROUND CRUISE 264

 XXXIV. DESPAIR 270

 XXXV. NUGGET DISCOVERS A LIGHT 275

 XXXVI. HOME AGAIN 280

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CANOE BOYS AND CAMPFIRES

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCING THE BOYS

"I say, Ned, this is beginning to grow wearisome, " drawled Randy Mooreas he tipped his chair against the wall, and crossed his feet on the lowrailing in front of him. "Clay promised to be here half an hour ago, " hewent on in an injured tone, "and if he doesn't come in a few minutes I'mgoing to have a spin on the river. It's aggravating to sit here and donothing. I can count a dozen boats between the railroad bridge and BushyIsland. "

"I wouldn't mind being out myself, " said Ned Chapman, "but we haveimportant business to transact to-night, Randy, and I think it would bewiser to let boating go for once. I have everything planned out in shipshape fashion, and it only wants the seal of approval from you andClayton. "

"Oh! you have, have you?" exclaimed Randy with a sudden show ofinterest. "That's good news, Ned. If Clay knew the momentous questionwas to be settled at last, he would stir himself to get here, whereverhe is. I'll give him ten minutes' grace. "

"You'll give him as many minutes as he needs, " rejoined Ned. "There mustbe some reason for his delay. It's new for him to be late. He's alwaysthe first to keep an engagement. "

"We'll know when he comes, " said Randy wisely. "Stop talking now. I wantto count the boats. I never saw so many on the river before. "

The two boys were sitting on a narrow balcony that projected from thesecond floor of a neat but unpretentious boathouse. The rear end of theedifice was built against the sloping base of the river bank. 

From the park above a flight of steps, with a single hand rail, led downto the main entrance, which was on the second floor. The other end ofthe apartment opened on the balcony and faced the Susquehanna river. 

From the lower floor, which held a number of boats and canoes, a plankwalk sloped to the water's edge, ten or fifteen yards away. 

Randy Moore was the fortunate owner of this snug little piece ofproperty. The Harrisburg boys envied him his gun, his dog and his pony, but they would have fairly bowed down before him if by so doing theycould have been put on the list of those favored ones who made free anddaily use of the boathouse. 

A "luck fellow" was the general verdict concerning Randy, and it was atrue one. His father was wealthy and never refused to gratify anyreasonable desire of his only son. In consequence Randy was somewhatspoiled and self willed, but in other ways he was really a sensible lad. 

The fact of his own superior position in life never occurred to him inrelation to his companions. He gave himself no airs, and expected nohomage or adulation. 

His chief fault was a strong and uncurbed will, and he unfortunately hada quick temper. He was just sixteen years old, and was strong and hardy. He had dark eyes and hair, and a pleasing, attractive face. 

Randy's most intimate friend, Ned Chapman, differed from him in everyrespect, and made an admirable foil for the other's impetuoustemperament. Ned's father was a merchant in moderate circumstances, andhe had just reason to be proud of his son's bringing up. 

Ned was a steady, sensible lad, with very rigid ideas of right andwrong. Not that there was anything "priggish" about him. On thecontrary, he was always the foremost in any undertaking that provided alittle sport. 

He was intensely fond of outdoor life, and was an acknowledged authorityon everything relating to fishing, hunting, canoeing, and boating. Buthe did not allow recreation to interfere with his studies. 

He and Randy were pupils at the academy, and both stood high in theirclasses. 

Ned was a year older than Randy and half a head taller. He had brownhair, grayish brown eyes, and a deeply bronzed complexion, the result ofliving much in the open air and under the burning glow of the summersun. 

His face wore an expression of habitual good humor, and he had a rarecommand of his temper. 

His grave displeasure was more dreaded than a passionate outburst wouldhave been. 

And now that two of the characters have been introduced to the reader, we must resume the thread of the story. 

Randy's stipulated ten minutes had gone by, and five additional ones, when a shrill whistle was heard in the rear of the boathouse. 

Both doors were open, and when the boys turned in their chairs andlooked through they saw their tardy companion descending the steps thatled from the top of the bank. 

"It's Clay at last, " exclaimed Randy. 

"And some one with him, " added Ned, as a second figure came into view. 

At that instant the lad in the rear slipped, plunged head foremost downthe remaining half dozen steps, knocking Clay to one side, and sprawledout in the doorway like a flattened frog. 

Ned and Randy sprang up and hurried through the room. 

"Why, it's Nugget, " they exclaimed in great surprise. "Where did youcome from, old fellow? We're awfully glad to see you. "

Nugget, otherwise known as Nugent Blundell, rose painfully to his feetand glared at the boys. 

"Why don't you ask me if I'm hurt?" he demanded wrathfully. "I believeyou fellows greased those steps on purpose. "

"See here, Nugget, you don't believe anything of the sort, " said Ned. "I'm sorry you fell, and I'm glad you're not hurt. Come, old fellow, shake hands. "

Nugget's face assumed a mollified expression, and he accepted a heartyhandclasp from Ned and Randy. Then he began to brush the dust from hisneat gray suit and patent leather shoes. 

Meanwhile Clayton Halsey had been fairly choking with stifled mirth in adark corner of the room. He now came forward, trying hard to assume anexpression of gravity. 

He was a short, thickset lad, with a beaming countenance, red cheeks, blue eyes, and light curly hair. He was in the same class at the academywith Ned and Randy, and their constant companion on all occasions. Hisfather was a prominent lawyer. 

"What kept you so long?" asked Randy in a slightly aggrieved tone. 

"That, " replied Clay, pointing at Nugget. "He arrived in town thisafternoon, and came to the house after supper. I knew you fellows wouldbe glad to see him, so I brought him along. But what do you think?"added Clay, winking slyly at Ned and Randy, "Nugget says he's goingcanoeing with us. "

This piece of information produced a startling effect. Ned puckered hislips and gave a low whistle. Randy stared at Clay for an instant andthen burst into a laugh. 

Why this avowal on Nugget's part was received in such a peculiar waywill be more clearly understood if a few words be said about that younggentleman himself. 

Nugget was a New York boy, greatly addicted to cream colored clothes, white vests, patent leather shoes, high collars, gorgeous neckties, kidgloves, and canes. 

He was about seventeen years old, and was tall and slender. 

He had gray eyes, a sandy complexion and straight flaxen hair, which hewore banged over his forehead. A vacuous stare usually rested on hisface, and he spoke in a slow, aggravating drawl. 

Nugget had made the acquaintance cf the boys during the previous summer, which he spent with his uncle in Harrisburg. He was a good enough fellowin some ways, but the several occasions on which he had been induced togo on fishing and boating excursions, had resulted in disaster andridicule at poor Nugget's expense. 

"What Nugget doesn't know about swell parties, and dancing, and operasisn't worth knowing, " Clay Halsey had said at that time; "but when itcomes to matters of sport he doesn't know any more than a two days' oldkitten. "

The truth of this terse remark was readily appreciated by Clay'scompanions, and their present amazement and consternation on learningthat Nugget wanted to go canoeing with them, can be easily conceived. 

"Are you in dead earnest, Nugget?" asked Randy after a pause. 

"Of course I am, " was the aggressive reply. "I don't see anything funnyabout it though. I haven't been very well lately, and father let me stopschool a month ahead of time, and come over here. I know he'll let me gocanoeing if I write and ask him. "

"But canoeing is vastly different from the kind of trips you made withus last summer, " said Ned. "There is a good deal of hardship about it. You remember what a fuss you used to make over the merest trifles. "

"You'll have to wear rough flannels and old clothes, " added Randy. "Youcan't take kid gloves and patent leathers with you. "

"And you'll have to sleep on the ground, " put in Clay, "and eat coarsefood. No chocolate cake and ice cream about canoeing. "

"Oh, stop your chaffing, " drawled Nugget sullenly. "I understand allthat. I'm not as green as you think. If you fellows can stand it I can. Besides I've been practicing on the Harlem River this spring. I paddleda canoe from the Malta boathouse clear to High Bridge and back. And Ididn't raise a single blister. "

"I'll bet you wore gloves, " said Clay mockingly. 

Nugget flushed with anger and confusion, but said nothing. 

"It's time to stop that now, Clay, " said Ned authoratively. "If Nuggetwants to go along I don't see any serious objections. No doubt the tripwill do him lots of good. But that question can be settled later. Giveus some light, Randy, and I'll show you what I've got here. "

CHAPTER II

PLANNING THE TRIP

It was not yet dark outside but Randy lit the handsome brass lamp thatstood on the square oaken table, and the yellow glow shone into everycorner of the room. 

The apartment was furnished in the manner most dear to the hearts ofboys. The polished floor was strewn with soft rugs, and the walls werehung with pictures and amateur photographs. In the corners and over themantels were fencing foils and masks, fishing rods, baseball bats, creels, and several pairs of crossed canoe paddles which showed tracesof hard usage. 

When the boys had dragged chairs to the table and seated themselves, Neddrew a little bunch of papers from his pocket, and opened them with aflourish. 

"When the question of a canoe trip came up a month ago, " he began, "Itold you it would be better fun to cruise on some small stream than onthe Susquehanna. I knew what I was talking about, because I paddled thewhole distance last year, from Lake Otsego to the bay. 

"I suggested the Conodoguinet Creek as the best cruising ground wecould find around here, and promised to get all the information about itI could. I have kept my promise. 

"Here is a map of the Cumberland Valley on a large scale, showing theentire course of the creek, and all its windings. You can examine thatat your leisure. First I want to tell you what I have learned. 

"Of course you knew that the Conodoguinet was about the most crookedstream in existence. We have evidence enough of that near home. Youremember the big bend above Oyster's Dam--three miles around, and onefield's length across. Well, there are bigger bends than that further upthe valley. 

"From the mouth of the creek to Carlile is just eighteen miles in astraight line. By the windings of the creek it is ninety miles. Thedistance was accurately measured and surveyed a number of years ago. 

"Oakville is twenty miles beyond Carlile, and from there I propose thatwe should start. The upper part of the creek is not quite so crooked, but we are sure of a cruise of not less than one hundred and fiftymiles. The creek is navigable all the way from Oakville, and there arenot more than twelve or fifteen dams in the whole distance. 

"The water is deep, and the current is swift in some places, sluggish inothers. The channel winds through heavy timber lands and between high, rocky cliffs. The mountains are not far away. The fishing is splendid, and woodcock and snipe are plentiful. "

Here Ned laid down the bundle of notes from which he had been reading. 

"It will be a delightful trip, " he added eagerly. "The Susquehanna can'tcompare with it. Instead of having to paddle our twenty or thirty milesa day in the broiling sun, and camp on gravel bars or grass flats, wecan drift leisurely in the cool shade of the overhanging trees, stopwhen we please and as long as we please, and take our pick of a hundredbeautiful camping places. In fact it will be a camping trip and canoetrip combined. 

"And what's more we will be the first to navigate the creek. No canoe, or boat either, has ever made the winding journey from the head watersto the mouth. It is unexplored territory, except to the farmers and afew stray fishermen. You can take your choice now. Which is it to be?The Susquehanna or the Conodoguinet?"

Ned put the papers in his pocket and sat down. 

"I say the creek, by all means, boys, " exclaimed Randy. 

"Same here!" echoed Clay. 

"Aw, yes! that must be a beautiful stream, don't you know, " drawledNugget, in such a serio-comic tone that his companions burst outlaughing. 

When quiet was restored the map became the center of attraction, and Nedgladly pointed out places of interest and volunteered all sorts ofinformation. As the hours went by the boys waxed enthusiastic over theproposed cruise. The details were mostly planned out, and then a longdiscussion ensued over the choice of a name for the club. 

Many titles were suggested and rejected, but finally Ned struck a happycombination, and the organization was unanimously christened the "JollyRovers. "

At ten o'clock the boat house was locked up, and the boys climbed thebank, and went down through the city to their respective homes. 

Now that the cruise was a settled fact the Jolly Rovers threw all theirenergies into needed preparations. In the evening, and between schoolhours they were always to be found at Randy's boat house. 

Ned looked forward to the trip with the keen delight of one who hadalready tasted the joys of canoeing. Clay and Randy--who had not beenpermitted to accompany Ned down the Susquehanna the previous summer--hadbright anticipations to be realized, while Nugget was just as eager ashis companions. It had required much persuasion and many promises onNugget's part to win the desired permission, and when the question wasfinally decided the new member of the Jolly Rovers was put on a severecourse of training. 

This embraced rowing, paddling a canoe, and swimming, and before themonth of June was over Nugget was fairly proficient in all three. Hepurchased a second hand canoe which Ned picked out for him, and withoutthe knowledge of his companions he wrote to his father in New York for acanoeing outfit. 

The box duly arrived and was opened one evening in the boathouse. Theboys feasted their eyes on the array of treasures--fishing rods ofspliced bamboo, a portable set of camp dishes that fitted into eachother, a pair of brass lanterns, rubber blankets, and several otherarticles that were of no practical use on a canoe trip. 

In the bottom of the box were four shirts of the softest flannel, twopairs of long black woolen stockings, and a canoeing suit of stout browncloth--knickerbockers, blouse, and a yachting cap. 

It was a fine outfit, and the boys good naturedly envied Nugget hisluck. 

The date of departure was fixed for the first week in July. When theacademy closed on the 25th of June little or nothing remained to be donein the way of preparation--thanks to Ned's good generalship. 

The four canoes lay in the lower section of the boathouse, radiant innew coats of paint. In the big closet on the upper floor were packed thevaried assortment of dishware, lanterns, axes, bottles of oil, cement, cans of white lead, strips of oiled canvas, rolls of blankets, a new Atent, jointed poles for the same, and a bundle of iron stakes. 

Such provision as could be taken along--oatmeal, rice, sugar, coffee andflour--had been ordered from a grocer, to be packed in waterproof jars. 

Ned Chapman had been very properly chosen commodore of the club, and acouple of days before the start Randy's sister Mary presented the JollyRovers with a pennant of crimson and gold satin. The proper place forit was at the bow of the commodore's canoe, so it was yielded to Ned. 

With the exception of Randy's single barreled shotgun, no firearms wereto be taken along. The boys demurred to this at first, but were finallywon over by Ned's sensible arguments. Canoeists cruising through apeaceful country seldom need weapons of defense. 

CHAPTER III

THE CRUISE BEGINS

The first day of July fell on Thursday, and that afternoon the boxescontaining the dishes, provisions and other traps, and the four canoescarefully wrapped in coffee sacking, were shipped to Oakville byfreight. 

On the following morning the Jolly Rovers departed by the seven o'clocktrain, and a ride of an hour and a half through the beautiful CumberlandValley brought them to their destination. The canoes were found to be ingood condition, and after a brief delay the services of a farmer and histeam were engaged. 

The inhabitants of the little village gazed with wonder and curiosity onthe strange procession as it passed along the straggling street. Theboxes and the gayly painted canoes completely filled the bed of thewagon. Nugget was perched on the seat beside the farmer, resplendent inhis brown uniform. He held the pennant in his right hand, and waved itin the breeze from time to time. 

The others marched with military precision behind the wagon. Randy borehis gun on his shoulder, and Ned and Clay carried paddles. All threewore knickerbockers and Norfolk jackets, and their faces were protectedfrom the sun by canvas helmets with large visors. 

For two miles and a half the road wound through a hilly, open country. Then it dipped into a wooded ravine, turned aside to follow a barelyperceptible path through a heavy forest, and finally ended at a fordingon the edge of the Conodoguinet. 

"Here you are, boys, " cried the farmer, as he pulled up his horseswithin a few feet of the water. "I reckon you couldn't have a better dayfor your start. The creek's in prime condition, too. "

Nugget leaped down from the wagon and joined his companions. For amoment or two the boys quite forgot the work that had to be done. 

With exclamations of delight they gazed on the narrow blue channel as itpoured swiftly around a bend in the woods above and vanished from sightbeneath the crooked arches of a mossy stone bridge a quarter of a milebelow. The opposite shore was rocky and lined with pine trees, and overtheir tops could be seen against the horizon the jagged crest line ofthe Kittatinny Mountains. 

"Come on now and get to work, " said Ned finally. "My arms are itching totake hold of a paddle. "

"So are mine, " exclaimed Randy. "Let's be off as soon as possible. "

With the farmer's aid the canoes were speedily taken from the wagon andplaced on the grass close to the water's edge. They were built onsomewhat different lines, but all were serviceable and well adapted forspeed. The framework and the canvas were both light, and the averageweight was about eighty pounds, unloaded. The canoes were aptly named. The Water Sprite belonged to Randy. It was light and graceful, and owingto its flat bottom drew very little water. 

Clay owned the Neptune, a broad decked craft, built somewhat on theorder of the primitive Rob Roy. The Imp was narrow and rakish, with alow cockpit and a high bow and stern. Nugget regarded it with theaffection that one feels for a favorite dog. 

The Pioneer, in which Ned had cruised down the Susquehanna, was a heavybut neatly proportioned craft, and showed traces of wear and tear. Theyall contained spacious hatches fore and aft. 

The boxes were unpacked, and under Ned's supervision the contents werejudiciously distributed and stowed away in the different canoes. Thenthe seats and back rests were arranged in the cockpits, and the canoeswere gently shoved into the water. 

"Do you fellows expect to reach the river in them flimsy things?"exclaimed the farmer when he saw the four canoes swinging lightly withthe current. "I reckon you'll repent it afore you get many miles fromhere. "

"Not much danger, " replied Ned laughingly. "A good canvas canoe willstand as much as a rowboat any time. There are no obstructions in theway, are there?"

"I dunno, " replied the farmer. "It's a wild and lonesome bit of countrythat this creek runs through, and I've heard tell of bad water an'whirlpools. The channel winds worse than any serpent. Why, it must beall of two hundred miles to the Big River. "

"I hope you are right there, " said Ned heartily, as he climbed out onhis canoe and fixed the pennant securely on the bow. "Take your seatsnow, " he added to the boys. "Everything's ready for the start. "

They obeyed with a rush and a scramble, and Nugget very nearly got aducking at the outset by thoughtlessly trying to stand up in thecockpit. 

Good wishes and farewells were exchanged with the friendly farmer. Thenfour double paddles dipped the water and rose flashing with silverydrops, four canoes skimmed gracefully out on the swift blue surface ofthe creek. The Jolly Rovers were off at last. 

When they were twenty or thirty yards down stream they turned and wavedtheir paddles to the farmer, who was still standing in open-mouthedwonder beside the empty packing cases. Then a cross current, settingtoward the right shore, whisked them out of sight of the spot. 

Randy struck up the chorus of a popular boating song, and the othersjoined in with eager voices. Their jubilant spirits had to find a ventsomewhere. 

What a glorious thing it was to be drifting haphazard with the ripplingcurrent, free as the very air, and the birds that were singing sweetlyin the bushes! The narrow vista of the creek brought vividly to mindthe pleasures that lay in wait along the twisted miles of itschannel--the gamy bass lurking in the deep, shady holes, the snipe andwoodcock feeding among the reeds, the tent and campfire with the savoryodor of coffee and crisp bacon. 

That less pleasant things than these were destined to fall to the lot ofthe Jolly Rovers ere they should paddle from the mouth of the creek intothe broad Susquehanna, occurred to none, else a shadow had marred theirbright anticipations at the start. 

Side by side the four canoes darted under the middle arch of the oldstone bridge, and then Ned took the lead, for it was not seemly that thepennant should be anywhere but in front while the club was on a cruise. 

The current soon became sluggish, and the channel wound between thickwoods, where the trees almost met overhead. The boys drifted alongleisurely, stopping now and then to explore some tempting nook. 

At one place, where the water was deep and a great rock jutted from theshore, they put their fishing rods together, and procured worms bypulling up great clods of grass. In half an hour they caught a beautifulstring of sunfish and chubs. 

About the middle of the afternoon Ned went up to a farmhouse that wasvisible among the hills and came back with a pail of butter, a loaf ofbread and two apple pies. The boys had already lunched on crackers. Sothey concluded to keep these supplies for supper. 

They paddled slowly on, crossing from shore to shore as something newtook their attention. A sudden shadow, caused by the sun dipping beneaththe hill top, reminded them that evening was at hand. The banks wereclosely scanned for a camping place, and an admirable one was soonfound--a grove of big trees, through which filtered a tiny stream. 

The boys landed and dragged the canoes partly out on the grassy slope. 

"The tent is the first thing, " said Ned, as he lifted the big roll ofcanvas from the cockpit of the Pioneer, where it had served as anadmirable seat. 

Randy unlashed the poles from the fore deck of his canoe, and joinedthem together. 

This was a clever invention of Ned's. Each pole was in two parts, andcould be put together like the joints of a fishing rod. The ferrule ofthe ridge pole, which had to endure the most pressure, was longer andstouter than the others. The poles were very light but strong, and theentire six pieces made no perceptible burden when lashed on a canoe. 

Five minutes sufficed to raise the tent, and drive the iron stakes atthe four corners. Then what articles would likely be needed were takenfrom the canoes and carried inside. 

Ned hunted up two large stones, and placed them a foot apart. He laidfour iron rods across them, and proceeded to build a fire underneath. 

"That's the best cooking arrangement ever invented, " he said. "We usedit altogether on the Susquehanna last summer. If I prepare the supperyou fellows must do the rest. Clay, you clean those fish. Bring me thesalt, pepper and lard, Randy, and then peel some potatoes. "

"Can I assist in any way?" drawled Nugget, as he emerged from behind thetent, where he had been slyly brushing off his clothes and shoes. 

"Why, certainly, " replied Clay. "Clean these fish for me, that's a goodfellow. "

Nugget rapidly opened and closed his mouth two or three times. "I--I--really--I'm afraid--" he stammered. 

"Let him alone, Clay, " cried Ned sharply. "Clean the fish yourself. Suppose you set the table, Nugget, " he added kindly. "Arrange the platesand knives and forks on some grassy level place, I mean. "

While his companions were performing the duties assigned to them, Nedwent down to the stream and filled the coffee pot. 

"This is spring water, as cold as ice, " he exclaimed in surprise. "Thesource can't be far away. "

The sun was now out of sight, and it grew darker and darker as thepreparations for supper went on. Randy finished his own work, and helpedNugget arrange the dishes on an outspread square strip of canvas. He litone of the lanterns and placed it in the center, and a few moments laterNed made the welcome announcement that supper was ready. 

The coffee pot and the pans of fried fish and potatoes were gingerlycarried over, and then the boys seated themselves at the four corners, crossing their legs under them, tailor fashion. 

The ruddy flames mangled with the yellow glow of the lantern, dancing onthe bright tinware, and casting the shadow of the tent far into theforest. The brook rippled softly through the ravine, and away up thecreek the melancholy cry of a whippoorwill was heard. 

"This is what I call glorious, " said Ned, as he opened a can ofcondensed milk and passed it around. "Nothing equals a life in the openair, and no other sport has the same fascination. "

"You're right there, " stuttered Randy, with his mouth full, "I'd like tolive this way half the year round. "

"It beats New York, " said Nugget decidedly, as he raised a pint cup ofcoffee to his lips. The next instant he uttered a howl of anguish, andmade a frantic grab at the pail of cold water. 

"Was it hot?" asked Clay. 

"Try it and see, " retorted Nugget indignantly as he buried his nose inthe pail. 

For a little while the silence was broken only by the clatter of knivesand forks. Then Ned said slowly, "It does a fellow lots of good to getaway from the rush and noise of town life. We are safer here to-nightthan we would be at home. No peril can come near us. Our only neighborsare the simple, kind hearted farmers--" he paused abruptly, and turnedhis head to one side. 

A strange rustling noise was heard back in the forest It grew moredistinct with every second, and the boys looked at each other with fearand wonder. Then a gruff angry bark rang out on the night air, and theelder bushes across the glade swayed violently. 

CHAPTER IV

ADRIFT IN THE DARKNESS

Before the frightened boys could realize what was coming, a big yellowdog shot into view and rushed at them with a ferocious snarl. Underother circumstances the Jolly Rovers would have courageously faced thefoe, but the attack was so sudden as to preclude the possibility ofdefense. 

The supper party broke up in ignominious confusion. Ned bolted for thenearest tree and went up the trunk like a cat. Randy fled down the slopeto the creek, and Clay sought shelter in the bushes on the far side ofthe rivulet. Nugget stared hopelessly about for an instant, and then, with a shrill cry of fear, he dived through the flaps of the tent. 

The dog rushed across the table, tramping the dishes, and unfortunatelyupsetting the coffee pot. The hot liquid scalded the brute's paws, andsnarling with rage and pain, he bolted into the tent after Nugget. 

For a second or two there was a terrible outcry. Nugget's appeals forhelp mingled with the dog's angry barking. Then the tent shook violentlyand toppled to the ground. 

At this interesting juncture the owner of the dog emerged from thebushes--a burly farmer with a very stern cast of features. He carried alantern in one hand, and a short, thick club in the other. 

The fallen tent first attracted his attention. It was wriggling about asthough endowed with life, and from underneath came strange, muffledsounds. 

The farmer lifted one end of the canvas, and gave it a vigorous jerk, thus liberating the dog, who began to prance about his master. A secondpull revealed Nugget's legs thrashing wildly about on the grass. The dogimmediately made a dart at them, but the farmer caught him by the scruffof the neck and dragged him back. 

The boys had witnessed the whole affair from their hiding places, andnow they dropped from the tree, and came timidly forward. At the samemoment Randy crept out of the shadows and joined them. 

The farmer caught sight of the boys and took a step toward them, stillkeeping a tight hold on his dog. "What do you mean by trespassin' here, you impudent young rascals?" he demanded savagely. "Get out of this asquick as you can, or I'll give you a taste of this. "

He shook his club menacingly. 

"I'm very sorry if we have offended you, " said Ned quietly. "We did notsuppose there would be any objection to our camping here. I don't thinkwe have done any damage. "

"Damage!" growled the farmer. "No, I reckon not. You hain't had timefor that yet. It was only last night I run two thieving rascals off myland. They hed a camp a little ways down the creek, an' fur two wholedays they were livin' at my expense, stealing applies, an' eggs, an'chickens, an' whatever else they could lay their hands on. You peopleare all alike. You don't have no regards fur a farmer's rights. "

"I'm very sorry you have such a bad opinion of us, " said Ned. "I assureyou we don't deserve it. If you will let us stay here to-night we willgo quietly away in the morning. "

"No, " snarled the farmer. "You can't stay. I won't have it. Pack up atonce and git out. And mind you don't stop anywhere within half a mile. Iown the land that fur on both sides of the creek. "

Just then a diversion was created by the dog. He tore loose from hismaster and rushed at Nugget, who had meanwhile crawled out from thefallen canvas, and was standing with open mouth and eyes, listeningeagerly to the conversation. 

"Here, Bowser, " shouted the farmer sternly. "Come here, I say. "

The brute reluctantly obeyed, while Nugget sought shelter in a youngtree. 

The angry man turned to the three boys--for Clay had by this time joinedthe others. 

"Get out as quick as you can, " he resumed. "I can't stand here allnight. "

For an instant no one replied. Ned was bent on making another appeal, and was thinking how he could best word it. The chances were that alittle persuasion would have induced the farmer to relent, and permitthe boys to remain where they were until morning. 

But Randy's unfortunate temper blazed up just then, and made a breachthat was too wide to be healed. 

"It's a confounded shame to turn us off at this time of night, " hemuttered angrily. "I wouldn't treat a dog that way. If this is a sampleof country breeding I'm glad I don't--"

"Keep quiet, Randy, " whispered Ned; "you're only making things worse. "

The warning came too late. 

"You audacious sauce box, " cried the farmer. "I'll learn you manners. Take that--and that. "

He seized Randy by the collar, and cuffed him soundly on the ears threeor four times. Then he dropped him and turned to the others. "Now gitout o' here, or I'll treat you-uns the same way, " he snarled. 

Randy was boiling with rage, but he dared not open his mouth again. Nedand Clay realized that further entreaty was now useless. Without a wordthey began to pack up, and were finally assisted by Randy and Nugget. 

The farmer stood at one side, watching the operation keenly. In a briefspace of time the tent and the unwashed dishes were tumbled into thehatches. Then the boys pushed the canoes into the water, and took theirseats. 

The farmer came down to the shore to see them off. 

"Mind what I told you, " he said; "no stoppin' within a good half mile. "

"Don't say a word, " whispered Ned. 

His companions wisely obeyed, and in utter silence they paddled out fromthe shore and headed down stream. Soon a curve in the channel hid fromview the dying embers of the campfire and the twinkle of the farmer'slantern. 

"Wouldn't I like to get square with that old curmudgeon!" exclaimedRandy; "my ears sting yet. For half a cent I'd go back and trample downhis grain or break his fences. "

"I wish you'd poison the dog, " drawled Nugget. "The brute gave me ahorrid fright. The falling of the tent was all that saved me from beingchewed up. "

"See here, Randy, " said Ned in a grave tone. "If you had kept yourtemper down and your mouth shut, things would have turned out all right. A little reasoning would have pacified that farmer. I thought you hadmore sense. You heard what the man said, didn't you?

"Two men--tramps or fishermen, probably--had been camping on his land, and doing all the damage they could, and naturally enough he wasinclined to take out his spite on us. I don't blame him much. Such athing would rile any farmer. Most people have an idea that when they getin the country they can do as they please, and for what these ignorantfools do the innocent ones have to suffer. We are finding that outourselves just now. "

"But the old brute might have seen that we didn't belong to that classof people, " growled Randy, "and besides he didn't pay any attention towhat you said. "

"I had no chance to explain who we were, " replied Ned. "You spoiled thatfor me by your impudence. I have no doubt the man was fair enough atheart. If we get in any more scrapes of that kind you must keep yourtemper down. I'm speaking for your own good, Randy. This isn't the firsttime your tongue has got you into trouble. "

"It would be a good idea to keep his mouth tied shut except at mealtimes, " suggested Clay laughingly. 

"If you say that again I'll hit you with my paddle, " threatened Randy. "I won't stand any nonsense from _you_, Clay Halsey. "

"No quarreling, boys, " said Ned. "That's enough now. We'll let thematter drop. "

Clay subsided, and so did Randy. The latter stood a little in awe ofNed's rebukes, and whether he felt the justice of this one or not, hewisely made no more allusions to the farmer. 

Indeed there were other things to think about now. The night was darkand gloomy, and it was difficult to perceive the outlines of the shores. The boys were tired and sleepy, but they feared to stop and hunt up acamping ground, lest the farmer should come down and rout them outagain. A light would betray them, but without it they could do nothing. 

There seemed to be no current at all, and in the dead sluggish waterhalf a mile meant a wearisome paddle. 

"I'm awfully hungry, " said Nugget in a plaintive tone. "I didn't haveten bites of supper. "

"We're all hungry, for that matter, " returned Ned, "and sleepy as well. We must find a camping place. "

"You had better hurry then, " observed Clay. "I believe it's going torain. The air feels sultry, and there isn't a star in sight. "

Almost as he spoke a sullen peal of thunder echoed among the hills, andan instant later a jagged flash of lightning blazed on the surface ofthe creek. 

The boys huddled a little closer together and nervously discussed thesituation. A storm was bad enough when they had a snug tent to shelterthem, but in their present plight, adrift on the water in pitchdarkness, there was no telling what disaster might happen. 

"I wish I was home, " said Nugget. "I'm awfully afraid of thunder andlightning. "

No one laughed at this candid confession. The occasion was too seriousfor mirth. 

"I hardly know what would be best to do, " began Ned. "If there is goingto be much lightning we will be safer on the water than among the treeson shore. But here comes a gale, if I'm not mistaken. That will makethings lively for us. "

Ned's prediction was correct. The trees on shore suddenly began torustle and creak. The water was lashed into short, choppy waves, whichturned to white capped billows as the wind waxed stronger. It wasevident that this part of the creek occupied an exposed position. 

"Keep your canoes trim, " shouted Ned. "The wind will drop as soon as therain comes. "

It is doubtful if his companions heard the warning. The force of thetempest had already driven the canoes apart. 

For two or three minutes Ned was tossed about at will, momentarilyexpecting his frail craft to upset. He could see no trace of hiscompanions in the darkness, and when he shouted the roar of the galealmost drowned his voice. 

Suddenly he felt a severe shock, and then the canoe stood still. As hepartially rose, and peered to right and left, a dim object glidedswiftly by him. A second later it disappeared with startling abruptness, and a frantic cry for help rang out hoarsely above the fury of thestorm. 

CHAPTER V

DISAPPEARANCE OF NUGGET

Ned knew that the dim object must have been a canoe, but its suddeneffacement, and the loud cry for help, were mysteries too deep forimmediate comprehension. He shouted with all the power of his voice fullhalf a dozen times, but no answer came back. 

Then a happy thought flashed into his mind. When he had satisfiedhimself by shaking it violently that the canoe was firmly lodged on someobject--probably a rock--he leaned forward and took his lantern from thehatch. By holding it low in the cockpit he had no difficulty in lightingthe wick. 

The lantern was a bullseye, and as soon as Ned turned the flashing glareon the surrounding darkness the mystery was solved. The Pioneer waslodged in mid channel on a timber dam. The bow projected a foot or twoover the edge, but could go no further owing to lack of water. None wasrunning over at all at this point, and the slimy timbers protruded sixor eight inches above the level of the creek. 

While Ned was making these investigations the wind ceased, and he heardclose at hand a steady roaring noise, like the furious patter of rain ona tin roof. But it was not rain that produced the noise, though bigdrops were even then beginning to fall. 

A twist of the lantern to the left sent a luminous bar of light alongthe breast of the darn, and revealed a jagged break, fully six feetwide, through which the freed water poured with the speed of a millrace. The chasm was barely a dozen feet from where the Pioneer had lodged, andNed's first thought was one of gratitude for his own escape. Then heremembered with a thrill of horror what had happened a moment or twobefore. Which of his companions had been carried through the break, andwhere was the unfortunate lad now?

As Ned stood with the lantern turned on the fatal spot, a shout rang outbehind him, and the next instant the Water Sprite grounded on the edgeof the dam beside the Pioneer. 

"I'm glad you lit that lantern, Ned, " exclaimed Randy breathlessly. "Icame pretty near paddling back up the creek. But where are the otherfellows?"

Ned pointed to the broken dam and huskily related what had occurred. 

Randy was horror stricken. 

"I heard that cry for help, too, " he said, "but I had no idea what itmeant. Are you sure one of the boys went through?"

"I saw the canoe plainly, " replied Ned. "There was just one cry forhelp, and after that I could get no answer when I shouted. "

"We'll hope for the best, " said Randy stoutly. "Perhaps he made theplunge all right, and is half a mile down the creek by this time. GreatCæsar! I hope both the boys didn't go through. No, there's a light nowon the left shore. It's either Nugget or Clay with a lantern. "

"Paddle over and bring him back with you, " directed Ned. "If he tries tocome himself he'll go through the break. Be sure to keep away above thedam though, and when you return don't let my lantern mislead you, because I intend to wade along the breastwork and have a look at thathole. If you head for a dozen feet this side of the light you'll likelyland where you are now. "

Randy promised obedience, and departed in haste. Ned watched himanxiously until he was out of sight. Then he sounded the water with hispaddle, and finding it quite shallow he climbed carefully out of thecanoe. 

Holding the lantern in one hand, and clutching the projecting edge ofthe dam with the other, he moved along foot by foot, submerged to hiswaist. It was well that he had this support, for his feet were on thesloping, mud incrusted planks. 

When the broken place was three or four feet away the water began todeepen. Ned stopped and flashed the light on the lower side of the dam. He saw little there to comfort him. 

The fall was about six feet, and at the bottom of the long, glassy sheetof water which plunged through the break at a frightful speed, greatfoam crested waves began, and rolled and tumbled in awful confusion asfar as the gleam of the bullseye could reach. That a canoe could gothrough such a place without capsizing seemed an utter impossibility. 

There was no sign of one, however, in the quiet eddies on either side ofthe raging channel, and with this dismal scrap of comfort Ned retracedhis perilous journey to the canoe. He had hardly gained it, and climbedin, when Randy and his companion paddled their craft alongside. Thatcompanion was Clay. Nugget, then, was the missing Jolly Rover. 

"Discover anything?" demanded Randy. 

"No. It looks bad for poor Nugget, boys. If the canoe had gone throughall right he would have paddled to shore, and been making a big outcryby this time. "

"He can't be drowned. I won't believe it, " cried Randy. "See here, Ned, isn't it likely that Nugget caught hold of the canoe when it upset, andclung to it? The roar of the water would account for your not hearinghis cries. "

"It may be, " said Ned reflectively, as he dashed a tear from his eye. "If that's the case we will soon overtake him--provided he doesn't letgo his hold. Let's have a look at the right hand corner of the dam. "

"Yes, that will be the most likely place, " added Clay. "The race is onthe other side. I nearly blundered into it. "

The boys paddled to shore, following the line of the dam, and a briefsearch with the lantern revealed an easy path by which the canoes couldbe carried around. 

There was no sign of a house, and Clay reported none on the oppositeside, so the mill was probably some distance below. 

Under the excitement of the moment the boys scarcely felt the weight ofthe heavily laden canoes. They carried them, one at a time, up a slopingbank, and then down through the bushes to the water. 

When they embarked, and paddled out through the quiet shallows to theswift channel in midstream, the wind had nearly subsided and the rainwas falling in a desultory fashion which promised only a briefcontinuance. In fact stars were visible here and there through rifts inthe black clouds. The storm seemed to have gone off in anotherdirection. 

A short distance below the dam the water became very sluggish, and theboys knew that if Nugget was ahead of them they must speedily overtakehim. So they paddled hard, forgetful of weariness and hunger, and atfrequent intervals shouted loudly and called their companion by name. 

The lanterns were exposed to view so that Nugget could not fail to seethe light if he was anywhere near. 

For half an hour the three heartsick lads paddled on steadily, and inthat time hardly a word was exchanged. They were in no mood forconversation. 

Finally the track of yellow light which shone ahead from Ned's bullseyerevealed a bit of an island in mid-channel--a strip of gravel and reeds, with a few stunted bushes growing in the center. 

Ned drove the Pioneer on the upper point and stepped out. His companionsdid the same, and Randy asked wearily: "What are you going to do here?"

"Wait for daylight, " said Ned. "It's the only thing we _can_ do. We area good mile and a half below the dam, and if the canoe was drifting inthat sluggish water, we passed it long ago. It has probably lodged onsome bar, or along the shore, and will be found in the morning. "

"Then you think that Nugget is--is drowned?" asked Clay huskily. 

Ned stooped and pulled the canoe up on the bar. 

"I don't know, " he said in a broken voice. "If Nugget was alive he wouldsurely have heard our shouts or seen the lights. We won't know anythingpositively until morning. It could do no good to paddle up the creekagain in the darkness, so we had better wait here as patiently as wecan. "

No objection was made to this plan, and the boys crawled in among thebushes and sat down with Clay's lantern between them. The passing stormhad not cooled the sultry atmosphere, and no fire or blankets wereneeded. 

All seemed stupefied by the terrible misfortune that had happened, though as yet they hardly realized its full significance. They purposelyrefrained from talking about it, though each knew in his own heart howwildly improbable was the hope that Nugget was still alive. 

The hours of that dark, dismal night wore slowly on. There was plenty toeat in the canoes, but no one was hungry now. A lantern was kept burningat the upper point of the island, and from time to time one of the boyswent down to the shore and shouted till the echo rang far among thehills. They must have known that it was but a hollow mockery, and yetthere was a scrap of consolation even in pretending that hope was notentirely gone. 

Ned insisted that his companions should lie down and sleep. This seemedimpossible at first, but after a while drowsiness and fatigue assertedtheir sway. Randy went down to the canoes and returned with threeblankets. He and Clay wrapped themselves up, and chose a soft spot amongthe bushes. In five minutes they were sleeping soundly. 

Ned remained where he was for a long while, keeping solitary vigil overhis companions. Then he began to pace up and down the island, andfinally he pulled the blanket about his shoulders and sat down on theupper end of the bar with his back against the side of the canoe. 

It was his intention to remain awake, but unconsciously his eyelidsdrooped, and after a feeble struggle or two he sank into a deep slumber. 

He knew nothing more until he woke in the gray dawn of the morning. Fora few seconds his surroundings seemed familiar. Then the bitter truthflashed into his mind, and he rose with an aching heart. He was stiffand shivering, and the cool breeze that blew down the creek, scatteringthe light, vapory mists over the surface of the water, made him keenlyconscious of the pangs of hunger. 

He went up in the bushes and wakened Clay and Randy. They followed himstiffly down to the shore, and after dipping their feet in the cool, rippling water, all sat down on the grass and ate a few crackers. Nedoffered to build a fire and make some hot coffee, but the othersprotested that they did not care for it. 

The sun was just peeping above the horizon when the boys pushed theircanoes into the water and embarked on the dreaded journey up the creek. Both shores were thickly timbered, and to make the search more thoroughNed kept close to the right bank, while Clay and Randy followed theleft. 

They paddled with leisurely strokes, maintaining a sharp watch on everypatch of reeds and every little inlet. In the first mile there wasnothing to reward the searchers--not the slightest trace of the missingcanoe or its occupant. 

Then the channel made a sharp curve, and when they paddled around itthey saw, nearly half a mile above, a gray, weather worn mill, standingin a grove of willows on the right hand shore. The dam was visible ahundred yards or so beyond, and the sunlight was dancing on the foamingtorrent that poured through the break. 

CHAPTER VI

THE LOST FOUND

Without lessening their vigilance the boys paddled on against theincreasing current. When the mill was very near Ned signaled the othersto join him. 

They quickly crossed to the right shore, and the three canoes were runinto a quiet little nook close to the swirling mouth of the race. Themill was twenty yards above, and a little to the right of it a cozyframe house, overgrown with trailing vines, peeped above the willowtrees. 

"I thought we had better stop here on account of the swift water, " saidNed. "We will go up to the dam on foot, and take a look at the deepholes under the breastwork. "

Before Clay or Randy could reply a man came briskly through thetrees--the miller beyond a doubt, for his clothes and hat were whitewith flour. He greeted the boys with a smile and a cherry nod. 

"I guess you're the chaps I was just starting out to find, " he said. "T'other young chap was getting anxious about you, and not much wonder. He feared you were all drowned, and I guess you thought the same abouthim. It was lucky I run across him this morning. You see I went down tothe creek at daybreak to look for a stray cow, and when--"

"Did you find a boy called Nugget?" interrupted Ned in great excitement. 

"And a green and white canoe called the Imp?" shouted Randy, as hetossed his cap into the air. 

"That's about the way of it, " responded the miller. "But come up to thehouse and see for yourselves. You look as if you were nearly starved. "

The boys needed no second invitation. With eager steps and light heartsthey followed their guide through the trees, and across the littlegarden to the rear of the house. 

The miller threw open the door, and they rushed in with cries ofdelight. There sat Nugget at the kitchen table, making a fierceonslaught on ham and fried potatoes. He was rigged out in a suit ofclothes three times too big for him, and his brown uniform was dryingbefore the fire. 

The boys were so glad to see him that they first laughed and then criedalmost, while the miller and his wife looked on in wonder. 

Nugget took things very coolly. 

"Where did you fellows spend the night?" he asked, after the firstgreetings were over. 

"Where did _you_ spend it?" exclaimed Ned. "You gave us a pretty scare, Nugget. We never expected to see you again. "

"Let him spin his yarn while you're eating breakfast, " interrupted themiller. "Lizzie, set three more plates out. "

A moment later the boys were attacking the food with keen appetites, andas Nugget was now through, he proceeded to relate his adventures. 

"When the wind came up and separated us, " he began, "I got pretty badlyscared. I was afraid it would rain hard, so I took out my canvass apronand buttoned it over the cockpit, close up to my waist. "

"Good for you!" said Ned. "If I'm not mistaken that was what saved you. "

"Perhaps it was, " resumed Nugget. "I paddled on for a little while, trying to find you fellows. All at once I heard an awful roar, and thecanoe made a jump as though it was going to stand on end. I gave oneyell, and the next thing I knew big waves were jumping all around me. "

He paused to shiver at the recollection. 

"And what then?" asked Randy breathlessly. 

"Then I was more scared than ever, " continued Nugget in a reluctantvoice. "So I crawled under the apron and snuggled up in the cockpit. There was plenty of room, and the cushion made a nice soft pillow, and--and--I fell asleep. "

"Fell asleep!" ejaculated Ned in amazement. "You don't mean it?"

"Why, yes, " said Nugget. "I was awfully tired, you know, and I couldn'tkeep my eyes open. The next thing I remember is that man there helpingme out. It was daylight, and the canoe was in a little channel withthick bushes all around. "

The boys were not slow to appreciate the ludicrous side of Nugget'sadventure, and they laughed long and heartily. 

Then the miller told how he found the canoe in a stretch of back waterthat ran a few yards in from the creek, and how surprised he was when hepulled the apron off the cockpit and saw Nugget fast asleep. 

"I noticed that inlet, " said Ned, "but I didn't see anything of thecanoe. "

"Because I pulled it out in the bushes, " replied the miller. "Thecurrent has a natural drift toward the place, and clogs it up withrubbish sometimes. The lad had a narrow squeeze of it when he wentthrough that hole in the dam. I intend to fix it as soon as the watergoes down a little. "

"I don't want to go through any more such places, " said Nugget. "Isuppose that apron was what kept the water out. I shipped a little bit, though I didn't know it until this morning, when I found my clothes allwet. My extra suit is in your canoe, Randy. I had dry shirts, though. Say, wouldn't I look nice marching down Fifth Avenue in this rig?"

The boys laughed at the idea, and then drew their chairs away from thetable, and chatted for half an hour with the miller, relating all thathad happened on the previous night, and telling him of their proposedtrip to the Susquehanna. He, in turn, gave them much interestinginformation about the creek, where to camp and where to fish. 

Ten o'clock came before any one realized it, and the boys prepared todepart, in spite of their host's earnest invitation to stay for a day ortwo. Nugget changed his clothes, and started for the inlet with themiller, while the others embarked in their canoes, after thanking themiller's wife for her hospitality. 

The inlet was half a mile down the creek. The boys reached there first, and were joined by the others two or three minutes later. 

Fortunately Nugget's paddle was not lost. He had found it stranded alongthe shore while on his way to the mill that morning. 

The boys lingered a moment to shake hands with their kind heartedfriend, and thank him for his services. 

"That's all right, " said the miller, "only too glad to oblige you. Besure and stop when you pass here again. My name is John Kling. "

"We'll spend a week with you next time, " returned Ned, as he grasped hispaddle. 

"Please have the dam mended before then, " drawled Nugget. 

The miller laughed and waved his hand, and amid a chorus of "good-byes"the Jolly Rovers paddled away from shore. The shadow of misfortune wasforgotten, and the future was full of bright anticipations, as before. 

The birds sang among the leaves, the fish leaped in the ripples, andthe sunlight danced on the blue water. 

The little island, where the boys had spent such a wretched night, wassoon far behind, and they entered upon a more beautiful stretch ofcountry than they had yet seen. The water was very sluggish, and on eachside were great hills densely covered with pine and spruce trees. 

The temptations to stop were so frequent that by mid-afternoon the boyswere scarcely five miles from the mill--that is to say by water. It wasprobably less than half that distance in a straight line. 

"I'm really hungry again in spite of that big breakfast, " said Clay. "Can't we stop and have lunch?"

"I second that, " cried Randy. 

The others were of the same mind, and as a very pretty spot happened tocome within view about that time, they paddled across to it and landed. 

Closer inspection only added to the charms of the place. 

It lay on the right shore, at the mouth of a deep, dark ravine. A beachof smooth pebbles sloped back to a grassy bank three or four feet high, and on the plateau above were a dozen or more massive girthed pinetrees, whose fragrant needles carpeted the ground. A fair sized brookgurgled through the center over a bed of mossy stones, and emptied intothe creek. 

"We might travel a good many miles and not find such a place as this, "said Ned. "Suppose we stay here for a day or two. Tomorrow is Sundayand we would have to stop then anyhow. "

This suggestion was adopted without a dissenting word and the boysbecame enthusiastic over the prospect. Randy wanted to begin fishing atonce, while Nugget proposed an exploration of the ravine. A few sensiblewords from Ned cooled their ardor, and they started in with a will toarrange the camp. 

The tent was staked in a carefully selected spot, and then the canoeswere unloaded and placed on the beach in a row, bottom up, so whatlittle water was in them might drain out. 

While Nugget and Clay carried the provisions and other articles up tothe tent, Ned and Randy washed the dirty dishes of the night before. Then the blankets were put to air on a stout line stretched between twotrees, and a great heap of firewood was collected. 

"That's all for the present, " said Ned, as he finished tying the pennantto the front tent pole. "You can do a little fishing now if you want to. Don't venture far away from the camp, because I'm going up the ravine tolook for a farmhouse. "

Randy declared that he was tired and would rather stay by the tent, soNugget and Clay prepared their rods and went down the creek a shortdistance to a jutting point of rock. With a diminutive hook they caughta couple of minnows, which they used for bait. 

For a long time their patience was unrewarded, but finally Nugget had astrike, and after a severe struggle he landed a fine bass that couldnot have weighed less than a pound. Clay caught a smaller one, and afterthat the fish stopped biting. 

At sundown they put up their rods and went back to camp. Ned had justreturned, bringing with him a pair of dressed chickens and a pail ofmilk. 

"These will make us a good dinner to-morrow, " he said. "I had a hardtime finding the farmhouse. It was more than a mile away, and the pathled through the woods for nearly the whole distance. I suppose you arepretty hungry by this time. If you all pitch in and help we'll soon havesupper. "

In a short time the fire was blazing merrily. Ned was as good as hisword, and the _menu_ he set before the boys that night was a temptingone. It included fried bass, ham and eggs, and baked potatoes, with milkand pie for desert. 

As the night was warm all indulged in a delicious swim after the supperdishes were cleared up. At nine o'clock they turned in and tied the tentflaps shut. Even this precaution was felt to be unnecessary, since thevery loneliness of the place was a protection against harm. 

Randy, who occupied the proud position of log keeper to the JollyRovers, sat up for a while to jot down the events of the cruise in ablank book. He finally extinguished the lantern with a sigh ofsatisfaction, and was soon sleeping beside his companions. 

Sunday dawned bright and clear, but the boys did not get up until nineo'clock. The pine needles made a couch that was hard to leave. The daywas observed in a spirit of proper regard. Its monotony was somewhatalleviated by the dinner of fried chicken, but all were glad when nightcame. 

CHAPTER VII

BATTERS AND JOE

Ned was up with the sun on Monday morning. He pulled the tent flaps wideopen, so that the cool air would stream in and awaken his companions. Then he threw a towel over his shoulder and marched down to the mouth ofthe brook to wash his face and hands. 

But this laudable purpose was quite driven from his mind by thediscovery which greeted his eyes when he arrived there. On the spit ofjutting sand which had formed at the junction of the creek and the brookwas the deep imprint of a boat's keel, and close by were half a dozenlarge footsteps. 

They looked quite fresh, and had evidently been made by two persons. Some were long and pointed; others square toed, and shod with nails orpegs. 

As Ned gazed on these evidences of a nocturnal visit, he felt prettymuch as did Robinson Crusoe when he discovered the print of naked feeton his island. 

It was impossible to tell where these strangers had been, since thegravel beach and the grassy soil beyond it left no traces. 

Ned washed his face and hands and returned to the tent with a troubledmind. The boys were awake by this time, and he told them of hisdiscovery. 

"Hullo! that explains something, " exclaimed Clay. "I got awake lastnight, and struck a match to find the pail of water that was standingoutside the tent. I thought I heard a noise down by the creek, but I wastoo sleepy to bother about it, and went back to bed. "

"Then you must have scared these fellows off, " said Ned. "That accountsfor nothing being stolen. Everything of value was in the tent, however, and I don't suppose they cared to meddle with the canoes. "

"Do you think these are the same men that the farmer chased off hisland?" asked Randy. 

"Very likely, " replied Ned. "I'm sorry now that I didn't inquire moreabout them. The best thing we can do is to break camp and put about tenmiles between us and this place. "

"That would be cowardly, " exclaimed Randy. "We have no reason to beafraid of these fellows. They'll get a warm reception if they meddlearound camp again. Let's stay here for one day anyhow. We won't findmany prettier places, and besides, I'm anxious to do some hunting andfishing. "

Clay seemed disposed to side with Randy, while Nugget favored both sidesof the question. He wanted to go, and he was just as anxious to catchsome more bass down at the point of rocks. 

Ned hesitated for a moment. He knew that it would be the more prudentplan to break camp at once, but the same time he was not inclined toinsist upon it, and thus incur the ill will of his companions. 

"I see that the majority is against me, " he said good naturedly. "But ifwe get in any kind of a scrape you fellows will shoulder the blame, that's all. "

The boys appeared to be satisfied with this arrangement. They troopedoff to the brook to wash, while Ned turned aside to make the fire. 

After breakfast Randy shouldered his gun and started down the creek insearch of snipe or woodcock. Clay and Nugget caught a pailful of minnowsand departed for the point of rocks, for this was the time of day whenthe bass would probably bite best. 

Ned did not accompany them. He had the true appreciation of outdoorlife, and was never happier than when doing odd bits of work around thecamp. He occupied himself in this way for an hour or two--arranging theinterior of the tent, hanging the blankets out to air, stacking the woodneatly by the fireplace, and scrubbing the frying pans and the outsideof the coffee pot with sand and gravel. 

He was scooping out a little fish pond at the mouth of the brook whenRandy returned. 

"What luck?" he asked, looking up from his work. 

"Not a thing, " answered Randy in a disappointed tone. "The snipe are allon the other side of the creek. I'm going after them now in my canoe. Itramped along the shore for at least a mile, Ned, and I didn't see atrace of anybody, either on this side or on the other. Our midnightvisitors must have cleared out for good. "

"I hope they have, " said Ned. "What luck are the boys having?"

"Four bass, and one of them is a big fellow. Help me up with my canoenow, will you?"

Ned rendered the desired assistance. 

"Don't stay too long, " he told Randy. 

"I'll be back inside of an hour, " was the reply, as the other paddledswiftly down the creek. 

Ned finished the fish pond to his satisfaction, and feeling a littletired, he climbed up the slope and threw himself down in a clump of highgrass behind the tent. He was gazing dreamily up the creek with his headresting on his outstretched arms, when a boat containing two personscame suddenly into view around the bend. 

Ned crept a little deeper into the grass, where he could see withoutbeing seen. The boat was now out of sight behind the trees, but when itreappeared a moment later, directly opposite the camp, a single glancesatisfied Ned that it was not the same craft which had landed at themouth of the brook during the previous night. 

This was a rude affair known as a "flat. " It was long and narrow, withsquare ends and sides, and from its cranky motion evidently had no keel. 

The occupants were young fellows of twenty or thereabouts. They wereroughly dressed, and their general appearance was by no means favorable. They stopped paddling in amazement when they caught sight of the camp, and after a brief conversation, which Ned did not catch, they ran theircraft on shore a few yards below the mouth of the brook. 

Ned shifted his position, and watched their movements curiously. Thestrangers evidently intended to pitch a camp of their own, for they madefrequent trips up the slope, carrying blankets and tin pails, andvarious other articles. Then they chopped down a number of fine shoots, and constructed, in a brief space of time, a snug lean-to between twobig trees. 

Having placed their things in this--casting suspicious glances all thewhile at the tent--they went back to the boat, climbed in, and paddledswiftly down the creek. 

Ned rose to his feet, and looked after them in amazement. As the boatvanished around the sharp curve that the creek made immediately belowthe camp, he noticed for the first time a bait box trailing on behind. 

"I understand it now, " he muttered. "Those fellows are out for a fishingtrip, and they're going down to the rocks to set their lines. I hopethey won't get into a row with Clay and Nugget. "

The possibility of such a thing made Ned uneasy. He stood in perplexityfor a moment or two, and had just made up his mind to go down and lookafter the boys, when the sound of loud, angry voices reached hishearing. 

He hesitated no longer, but leaped down the slope and ran at full speedalong the beach. Bursting through a covert of reeds and tall bushes, heemerged within a few yards of the rocks. 

On the outermost bowlder, close to the swirling current, were Nugget, Clay, and the two strangers. The flat was drawn out on shore. 

As Ned put foot on the nearest rock the taller of the strange ladsstruck Nugget violently on the arm with a paddle. Clay immediately hitthe cowardly fellow in the breast, and in the struggle that followed thelatter lost his balance and rolled backward into the swift current. Hiscompanion pounced on Clay, and they came down together on the rock, while Nugget stood by, holding his injured arm and shouting for help. 

Ned took in the situation at a glance. He saw that the lad in the waterwas a poor swimmer, and could make no headway against the current. Without stopping to count the cost he threw off his coat, and ran to theedge of the bowlder. 

"Bring the boat quick!" he shouted to Clay and his assailant, who hadfallen apart and were glaring wrathfully at each other. 

Then Ned put his arms together and dived head first into the foamingwater. He came to the surface half a dozen yards below, and struck outvigorously for the struggling lad, who was by this time on the point ofexhaustion. 

Ned was an admirable swimmer, and absolutely fearless in the water. 

"Keep cool, and don't struggle, " he shouted, as he reached the fellowand put on hand on his collar. 

The other had sense enough to obey, and both floated down streamtogether. 

It was out of the question for Ned to reach the shore immediately withhis heavy burden, and as Clay and the other lad were slow aboutlaunching the boat, the affair might have ended seriously. But just atthat time Randy came paddling up the creek in his canoe, and spied thedrifting figures. 

He was soon alongside, and as the stern of the Water Sprite swung towardthem, Ned and his companion each threw an arm over it. 

Then Randy paddled for the shore, and landed about sixty feet below therocks. 

Clay and the other stranger reached the spot in the boat just as Ned andthe lad he had so nobly rescued, waded out on the beach. The lattershook the water from his clothes and hesitatingly approached Ned. 

"I dunno' how to thank you for what you did, " he said sheepishly. "I'mmighty sorry I hit that chap. Me and Joe were downright mad becauseyou'uns were fishing thar in our place. You see we come here from themountains every now and then, and ketch a lot of bass, and sell 'em backat Newville. I reckon it ain't our place anyhow, an' you'uns can fishthar as much as you please. My name is Jim Batters--Batters they alluscalls me--and that's my brother Joe there. "

"I'm glad to know you, Batters, " said Ned, holding out his hand. "Youare welcome to your fishing ground. We are going away to-morrow anyhow. As for the quarrel--we'll just let that drop. You had better go up tocamp now and dry your clothes. "

Batters was not satisfied, however, until he had apologized all around, and made Joe do the same. Nugget had arrived by this time, and hedeclared that his arm no longer pained him. 

Then the whole party went up the creek, some on water and some on land. The two mountaineers were tall, lanky youths with expressionless faces, surrounded by shocks of yellow hair. 

They wore homespun clothes and high boots. They were speedily onintimate terms with Jolly Rovers, and gladly accepted Ned's invitationto dinner. They asked many curious questions, and lost themselves inadmiration over the canoes. 

Ned told them about the nocturnal visitors of the previous night, andinquired if they had seen anything of the men. Both stoutly replied inthe negative, but a swift, covert glance that passed between them didnot escape Ned's attention. 

During the remainder of the day he remembered it more than once. Whendinner was over they all went down to the rocks, and Batters and Joeproudly displayed their skill at fishing. In two hours they caughtfifteen large bass. For bait they used crabs and lizards, which they hadbrought from the mountains. 

In the evening Randy entertained the country lads with a mouth organperformance, and at ten o'clock the visitors went to their camp on theother side of the brook. 

It had been a long day, and the Jolly Rovers were glad to get to bed. They were too drowsy to think about the possibility of another visitfrom the mysterious boat, and in a very few minutes all were soundasleep. 

About midnight--as nearly as he could judge afterward--Ned sat up with astart, firmly convinced that some danger was at hand. As he listenedwith a wildly throbbing heart, soft footsteps cracked on the pineneedles outside, and then the tent flap was torn open, revealing againstthe lingering embers of the campfire the semblance of a human form. 

"Hi! you chaps in thar!" whispered a gruff and unfamiliar voice. "Getawake, quick!"

The words had a soothing affect on Ned's fears, and satisfied him thatthe visitor--whoever he was--had come in the guise of friendship. Hedrew a match from his pocket and rubbed it on his trousers. It ignited, and revealed the pale face of Batters, framed between the tent and flap. 

"Great Cæsar! Is it you?" exclaimed Ned. "What's wrong?"

"Hush! not so loud, " whispered Batters. "Put that light out, quick!"

Ned obeyed in haste. 

"Now rouse the other chaps, and do it quietly, so they don't make nonoise. "

This was a pretty stiff order, and Ned had some fears for the result. Happily all went well, and in two or three minutes an audience of fourtrembling and well nigh panic stricken lads was sitting in the darkness, listening to Batter's ominous tale. 

"Joe waked me up a little while ago, " he began, "an' said there was astrange boat, an' two men in it, down by the mouth of the run. I toleJoe ter stay an' watch our stuff. Then I sneaked along the shore an'seen the fellows sittin' on the beach along side the canoes. 

"I didn't dare go close enough to hear what they was sayin', so I comeright up to the tent. I reckon you uns had better make a move afore thecanoes get carried off. I'll do what I kin fur you. If we all takepaddles and run out yellin' an' screachin' mebbe the fellars will getscared and make tracks without showin' fight. "

This proposition rather staggered the boys. 

"The thieves probably want more than the canoes, " said Ned. "It's verylikely they are right outside the tent now. I hardly know what we oughtto do. "

"Let's give them our money and watches, and anything else they want, "suggested Nugget. "If we don't they'll surely cut our throats. "

"Keep quiet!" whispered Clay savagely. "If you don't I'll throw you outof the tent. "

At this awful threat Nugget subsided and buried his head in his blanket. 

Meanwhile Randy, whose temper was beginning to rise at the thought ofbeing robbed, had quietly reached for his gun, and was fumbling with itunder cover of the darkness. 

An unlucky move dashed the stock against his lantern, and the crash ofbroken glass followed. At the same moment Batters called in a loudwhisper, "Here they are. I see them movin' among the trees. "

At this startling news a wailing cry broke from Nugget, and an instantlater a gruff voice called distinctly:

"Come out of that one at a time, young fellars. Move lively, an' youwon't be harmed. "

There was dead silence for a few seconds, and then the command wasrepeated in a more peremptory tone. 

"They ain't got no shootin' weapons, " whispered Batters; "only shortsticks. I can see 'em by the firelight. "

On hearing this, Randy was seized with a sudden access of courage. Gunin hand, he dashed by his companions to the front of the tent. 

Batters saw the glint of the weapon and made a futile grab at it. 

"Don't do no shootin', " he whispered hoarsely. 

The warning came too late. Randy stepped out from the flaps and raisedit to his shoulder. 

"Make tracks, you villains, " he shouted, "or I'll put daylight throughyou. " (This was a favorite expression of Randy's purloined from the lifeof Kit Carson. ) Then, as retreating footsteps were heard, he lowered theweapon a little and pulled the trigger. 

The thunderous report was followed by a yell of pain, and two voiceshissed out dire threats of vengeance as the baffled men went hastilydown the slope. 

As Randy turned toward his companions Batters sprang at him and wrenchedthe weapon from his hands. 

"Didn't I tell you not to shoot?" he cried. "Now you've gone an' hitBug. I kinder feared it might be him, but I wasn't certain. That's himswearin' this very minute. Oh! I'll fix you for this. "

Pushing Randy to one side and dashing the gun on the ground, Battersvanished in the darkness, yelling at the top of his voice, "Bug! Bug!it's me!"

The boys were overcome with terror and amazement. Who in the world wasBug, and why should Batters be so anxious about him?

"Why did you do that?" demanded Ned sternly. "If you have shot any onedon't expect us to shield you. "

Randy did not reply. He staggered into the tent and rolled over inhelpless mirth. 

"It--it was--a salt cartridge, " he finally was able to gasp. "Ihad--three or four of them. I read how to make them--in a book. Didn't Ipepper their legs nicely though. 

"I don't care what it was, " exclaimed Ned angrily. "You ought to beashamed of yourself. You'll break up this trip yet with yourfoolishness. "

Randy sobered down in a moment or two, and when he joined the othersoutside the tent he was disposed to take a less humorous view of hissmart performance. A light was visible at the mouth of the brook, andfour figures could be seen around it. 

Joe had evidently joined his brother. The conversation that was carriedon was for the most part inaudible, but now and then a threateningsentence could be heard, or a few words of entreaty. 

"Serious trouble will come out of this, " said Ned. "For half a cent I'ddeliver you over to those fellows, Randy. The worst of it is that theywere going away when you fired. "

"Dodging behind trees, that's all, " replied Randy. 

"Not a bit of it, " exclaimed Ned angrily. "They were running toward thecreek. "

As Clay stoutly backed up this assertion, Randy lapsed into sullensilence. He was more frightened than he chose to let appear. 

After what seemed a painfully long interval to the waiting boys, Batterscame softly out of the gloom and stood before them. 

"I reckon there ain't no more danger, " he said. "It wasn't Bug what washit; the other fellow. He's sittin' down thar on the stones now, apickin' lumps of salt out of his legs with a knife blade. He's mad asblazes too, an' me an Bug had all we could do ter keep him from comin'back here. 

"I tole Bug how you saved my life, an' when he heard that he put hisfoot down an' swore you chaps shouldn't be harmed. Bug ain't bad atheart, he ain't. As soon as the other fellow gits all the salt outthey're both going away. They hev a camp somewhere's down the creek. "

"But who are these men, Batters, and what do you know about them?" askedNed. 

The lad hesitated for a moment. 

"I reckon I might as well make a clean breast of it, " he said in apitiful tone. "Don't you-uns think bad of me an' Joe though, cause we'vebeen brung up different, 'deed we have--. "

"Look here, Batters, you needn't tell us if you don't want to, "interrupted Ned sympathetically. 

He had an inkling of the true state of affairs, and wished to spare thelad what was evidently a painful recital. 

"No, I'd better tell, " responded Batters. "It's just this way. Bug isbig brother to me and Joe, only he's about six years older than us. Yousee when he was a little chap dad an' mammy lived down near Middlesex, an' Bug he got in bad company. When dad moved up to the Gap, Bug wastoler'ble bad, an' since then he's been gittin' worse. 

"He was in Carlisle jail twict fer stealin', an' in summer he jest livesshiftless like along the creek, helpin' hisself to the farmers' stuff. Now he dassent come home no more, for dad says he won't own him fur ason. Mammy cries heaps an' says her heart's broke. 

"You see dad an' mammy are honest, if they are poor, an' they made mean' Joe promise we'd never take nothin' what don't belong to us. Mammysays she wants us ter grow up the right way, an' not be bad an'wuthless like--like Bug--. "

Here Batters broke down and began to cry softly. His sad littletale--alas! only too common in all walks of life!--had deeply moved hishearers, and more than one of the boys had tears in their eyes. 

Ned walked over and threw his arm around the weeping lad. 

"Don't cry, Batters, " he said softly. "Some day Bug will find out hismistake and begin to do better. We don't think any the less of you andJoe on his account. Stick to your mother, and do what she says, andyou'll be sure to grow up the right kind of men. "

Batters was consoled by this boyish sympathy. He wiped his eyes andlooked gratefully at Ned. 

"Here, take this, " said Nugget, holding out a handsome pocket knife. "It's got four blades, and a corkscrew, and a file. "

Batters looked doubtfully at the treasure. Randy had just lighted alantern, and the rays flashed on the mother of pearl handle. 

"I want you to have it, " said Nugget, "my father will send me plentymore from New York. "

The temptation was too much. Batters took the knife with a smile, andincoherently tried to thank the donor. 

All at once the creaking of oars was heard, and a moment later Joejoined the party. 

"They've gone, " he announced. "T' other fellow got tired pickin' thesalt out. Bug tole him he ought to be glad cause now he was wellseasoned. Then the fellow jabbed at Bug with a knife. Missed himthough. "

"Well, I'm 'glad the affair is over, " said Ned. "We'll be able to getsome sleep now. Batters, suppose you and Joe come in our tent? There isroom enough. "

Batters hesitated and gave an awkward hitch to his trousers. 

"I reckon you'd better not do any more sleepin' here, " he said uneasily. "Bug pulled me aside, and said I should tell you-uns to light out aforedaybreak, 'cause the other fellar will surely come back an' lay fur thechap what shot him. I dunno where Bug picked him up, or who he is. Helooks like a tramp, with his dirty beard and wicked eyes. H's a mightybad man when he gits riled, Bug says. It's a pity that chap shot him, 'cause they were both running away. "

"I know that, " replied Ned, "and I'm awfully sorry it happened. It was amean, contemptible trick under the circumstances. But what had we betterdo now?"

"Well, I reckon it would be better to pack up and start, " advisedBatters. "You see Bug and the other fellar have a camp about two miledown the creek. You can slide right past it in the darkness, and if youkeep on fur a good ways the fellar what was shot won't find you again. Bug tole me they didn't intend to go much further down the creek. Youneedn't be afraid to travel by night, 'cause there ain't any bad waternear here, an' the first dam is twelve mile away. "

Ned was inclined to act promptly on Batters' suggestions, and It goeswithout saying that the others were of the same mind--especially Randy, who had conceived a mortal fear of Bug's companion. 

It was between one and two o'clock when the boys began the work ofbreaking camp, and as Batters and Joe rendered useful assistance, theheavily laden canoes were in the water half an hour later. The start wasmade in darkness and silence. Ned thanked Batters for the importantservice he had rendered that night, and added a few words of comfort andsympathy. 

Hands were shaken all around, and hopes expressed of meeting again. Thenthe Jolly Rovers paddled noiselessly away in the gloom, and Batters andJoe went up the beach to their shelter of pine boughs. 

CHAPTER VIII

HOW THE DAY DAWNED

It was with no pleasant sensations that the boys found themselves forthe second time adrift in the darkness. Not that they had any fears ofthe journey that lay before them; that was a trifling matter compared tothe loss of sleep and the indignity of being routed out of their snugbeds through no fault of their own. 

There was no open complaint, however, and for ten or fifteen minutes thesilence of the night was disturbed only by the low swish of the paddles, as the four canoes moved abreast down midstream. 

"This thing is getting monotonous, and I hope it won't happen again, "remarked Ned finally, in a very grave voice. "If you fellows hadlistened to me this morning we would be sound asleep this minute in someplace down the creek, instead of floating here in the dark with a forcedpaddle of ten miles ahead of us. "

"It's hard luck, that's a fact, " muttered Clay. 

"No luck about it, " retorted Ned. "It's pure recklessness, and Randy ischiefly to blame. "

"No more than the rest of you, " growled Randy. "I wasn't the only onethat wanted to stay. "

"I don't mean that, " said Ned, "though of course the trouble beganthere. I refer to your foolish act a little while ago. If you hadn'tfired that salt cartridge the men would have gone quietly away, and wecould have remained where we were until morning. Now you have made abitter enemy, and if he don't give us future annoyance it will only bethrough the intercession of Batters' brother--provided he has enoughinfluence over his companion. 

"I feel glad in one way that we stayed. Batters and Joe are good heartedfellows, if they _are_ rough on the outside, and it was a pleasure tobecome acquainted with them. I hope their brother Bug will turn over anew leaf some day, and be allowed to go home. 

"But that wasn't what I started in to talk about, " resumed Ned after abrief pause. "The fact is, Randy, that you must be more careful infuture. You have been to blame for every one of our scrapes so far, andif you intend to keep this up we may as well abandon the cruise and gohome. This is the second warning I've had to give you. The other onedon't seem to have done much good. "

"I think you are getting pretty meddlesome, Ned Chapman, " exclaimedRandy in a sullen tone; "when I want any advice from you I'll ask forit. "

"Don't give way to your temper, now, " returned Ned quietly, "I'm talkingfor the common good, and you know it in your heart. "

"Ned's right, " exclaimed Clay. "This cruise has been a chapter ofmisadventures from the start, and every one of them lies at your door. "

Randy drove his paddle into the water with furious strokes, and was soona dozen yards ahead of his companions. 

"I'll give you fellows a chance to get out of the dumps, " he called backangrily. "I hope you'll be in a better humor when we meet again. "

Then he drove the canoe forward so rapidly that the dip of the paddlewas soon faint in the distance. 

"Let him go, " said Ned. "He can't come to any harm, and it will give hima good chance to cool down. That's the main trouble with Randy. Up comeshis temper at the least word of rebuke, and though he knows that he iswrong, his self will and anger won't let him admit it. I believe he willtake this warning to heart though. "

Clay and Nugget did not reply. The former's conscience was a little bituneasy, for he knew that his imprudent utterance had started Randy offin anger. 

The three boys paddled on silently for a while, and then Nugget managedto ground the Imp on a concealed ledge of rocks. It required the unitedefforts of his companions to dislodge it, and even then it was a laborof nearly five minutes' duration. A canvas canoe must be handled verycarefully when among the rocks. 

About this time the moon came out from a bank of fleecy clouds, and thelight--feeble though it was--enabled the boys to make better speed, andto keep a watch ahead for shoals. 

A moment later they wished with all their hearts that the moon was onthe other side of the globe, for a bend in the channel revealed a fireon the right bank, a short distance below. The flames were partlyscreened by a fringe of bushes, but not sufficiently to prevent theruddy light from flashing far across the water. 

"That must be Bug Batters's camp, " whispered Ned. 

"It will be a ticklish operation to get by if the men are on the watch. We can manage to, though, if we are prudent and don't lose our heads. Don't breathe a word or make any noise with your paddles. Just stickclose to me. "

Ned headed for the left bank, which was thickly wooded, and paddledslowly and noiselessly along the very edge. The others followed hisexample, and in a short time the three canoes were directly opposite thefire. Two dark figures squatting beside it could be plainly seen. Thedancing reflection of the flames revealed the boat pulled partially outof water, and stretched far beyond mid channel. 

It was a thrilling moment. Discovery at first seemed inevitable, for themen were facing the creek. But as no alarm came, and the canoes creptdeeper into the friendly gloom, the boys began to breathe more easily. 

They did not relax their caution until the fire was two or threehundred yards in the rear. Then Ned signified that the danger was overby paddling boldly and swiftly toward mid-channel. 

"I hope we have seen the last of Bug Batters and his companion, " hesaid, "and I really believe that they won't give us any more trouble. "

"I'm glad to hear you say so, " replied Clay. "That's my opinion, too. Ifwe put about ten miles between us and them we ought to feel safe. "

"Better make it twenty, " remarked Nugget uneasily. "Then we will betwice as safe. "

"Oh, that won't be necessary, " laughed Ned. "I say, fellows, it musthave been a pretty stiff ordeal for Randy to go by that fire, withinsight of the man he peppered with salt. "

"Well, I should say so, " returned Clay. "When we catch up with him we'llask him how he felt. "

"But that won't be for some time to come, " said Ned, "unless we move alittle faster. Try to keep up with me, and don't lag behind. "

He started off with short, quick strokes, and after a brief race theothers settled down abreast of him. 

The moon outlined the limits of the creek very distinctly, shining firstfrom one side, then from the other, as the channel followed its tortuouscourse. The water continued deep and fairly swift, and during the nexthour and a half the boys must have paddled no less than six or sevenmiles. 

Nothing was seen of Randy, but this fact was easily explained, since hehad gained considerable on his companions at the start, and hadmoreover a light and easily running canoe. 

Presently the sky to the eastward became faintly streaked with gray, andthe close night air was succeeded by a fragrant and delicious breeze. Dawn came on apace, heralded by the singing of birds, and the splashingof fish in search of the early insect. The mist began to rise from thewater, and in some distant barnyard hungry cattle lowed. 

"There is some compensation in night travel, " said Ned. "It will be atreat to see the sun come up. Two or three miles more and then we'llhunt a snug camping place, and have a plunge in the creek, and a goodbreakfast on top of it, and sleep until afternoon. I don't feel verytired just now, but I'm ravenously hungry. "

"So am I, " echoed Clay and Nugget in one breath. 

As the daylight advanced the boys paddled on with light hearts. In thelong level stretch that was now ahead of them no sign of Randy wasvisible. As the next bend--an unusually sharp one--drew near, a dull, roaring sound was heard. 

"That must be a bit of swift water, " observed Ned; "I hope it's longenough to give us a good spin. "

"But won't it be dangerous?" asked Nugget uneasily. 

"Of course not, " replied Clay. "There couldn't be any danger on a smallstream like this, and besides Batters told us everything was smooth fortwelve miles ahead. "

It is more than probable that when Batters made this statement he had inmind his own safe and bulky craft, which could have stood any amount ofrough usage without upsetting. But this version of the matter did notoccur to the boys. They confidently paddled on, hoping to find a stretchof swift water that would give them a lift on their journey. 

Just at the commencement of the curve a spit of rocks and trees juttedout from the right shore. As the boys were whirled swiftly around this, the first brief glimpse of what lay beyond proved far from satisfactory. 

The creek narrowed to half its former width, and the greater part ofeven this contracted channel was rendered unnavigable by a long bar ofgravel and grass, over which an inch or so of water crawled sluggishly. The main channel--only half a dozen feet wide--headed abruptly to theright, and swept at breakneck speed in a perfect half circle under theoutwardly projecting base of a steep and wooded hill. Here and there thebushes hung down to meet the madly tossing waves, and swayed violently. 

It was already too late to turn back, and it was equally out of thequestion to cut across the swift rushing current and gain the shallowbar. Speedy disaster would have resulted from _that_ step. 

Ned was half a canoe's length in advance, and without a second's delayhe swung the bow of the Pioneer around to meet the curve of the channel. 

"Paddle toward the left!--the left!" he shouted hoarsely to hiscompanions. "Keep your heads down when you come to the bushes. "

Ned had no chance to say more. His own affairs required his undividedattention. With a dizzy jerk he swung into the half circle, rising andfalling with the huge waves. A few tremendous paddle strokes deflectedhim to the left, and fortunately he cleared the outer fringe of bushes. 

Just when the worst seemed to be over the Pioneer ran broadside on asubmerged rock, tipped instantly, and out went Ned head over heels. 

He was dragged clear to the bottom of the rapids before he could gain afoothold. Then, waist deep in water, he grabbed the Pioneer as itdrifted by him, and waded with it to a narrow landing place at the baseof the hill. 

Even less fortunate was Nugget. The dizzy whirl of the current and thejolting motion of the waves so terrified him that he dropped his paddleand clutched the combing with both hands. Then, as the bushes directlyahead caught his eye, he threw up his arms and seized them. 

The next instant the canoe was whisked from under him, leaving himclinging to the frail support, shrieking with terror and bobbing up anddown on the waves. He remained in this position only a few seconds. Clay's canoe struck him obliquely, and the concussion caused it to swingbroadside and upset. Both lads were rolled over and over to the foot ofthe rapids, where Ned helped them and their canoes to shore. 

CHAPTER IX

A SAFE SHELTER

For a moment the three wrecked Jolly Rovers could only stare blankly attheir dripping clothes, and at one another. The whole thing had takenplace so quickly that they did not as yet realize the extent of themisfortune. 

Finally Ned and Clay broke into a hearty laugh, while Nugget sat down ona rock and wiped the tears from his eyes. 

"Hullo, there!" cried a familiar voice, as Randy appeared from behind apatch of bushes a few yards down the shore. "Great Cæsar! what a messyou fellows are in!"

"Thanks to you, " replied Ned. "Why didn't you come up the creek and warnus?"

"That's just what I was on my way to do, 'pon my honor it was. Icouldn't get here a minute sooner. I upset in that beastly place myself, and was carried down below those bushes. Look at that!" Randy pointed tohis muddy feet and wet clothes. It was evident that he was speaking thetruth. 

"Well, what's done can't be undone, " said Ned. "We must make the bestof it. I'm afraid, the water has spoilt a good deal of our stuff. "

"You can count yourselves lucky if your canoes aren't injured, " rejoinedRandy. "The rocks tore the keel nearly off of mine, and it leaks like abasket. "

"Then we are in for a long delay, " exclaimed Ned vexatiously. "It'sunfortunate just at this time, when we ought to be four or five milesfarther down the stream. "

"You won't think so when I show you the place I've found, " repliedRandy. "We could camp there for a month, and no one would be any thewiser. It's over on the left shore where the current first landed me. Ihad a look at the spot and then waded to this side with the canoe. "

"The first thing is to get dry clothes on, " returned Ned. "The morningair is too cool for comfort. "

"Down below here is just the place you want then, " said Randy. "A biggravel bar. The sun shines on it beautifully. "

This statement brought a smile even to Nugget's face, and without delaythe boys proceeded down the creek. 

As it was impossible to get any wetter they waded, pushing the canoesahead of them. The gravel bar was twenty yards below, in mid-channel, and sure enough the first rays of the sun fell full upon it. 

The canoes were speedily denuded of everything they held, and the gravelwas soon strewn with water soaked bread, crackers, blankets, fishingrods, writing paper, and envelopes. The other provisions, being incasedin jars, were uninjured; and so also were the extra clothes, thanks tothe oiled canvas bags in which they were wrapped. 

The boys quickly made the change, and stretched out their wet garmentsto dry. The canoes were placed bottom up to drain, and after satisfyinghimself that the Water Sprite was damaged beyond immediate repair, Nedsuggested that Randy should point out the place he had discovered. 

The latter was only too willing, and when the boys had followed hisinstructions by rolling their trousers above their knees, he led themthrough the shallow water toward the left shore. 

As they advanced nothing was visible but the low bank, densely coveredwith bushes and young timber. Randy was several yards in advance, andall at once he stooped and disappeared. The others followed his example, and when they had waded with bent backs under a heavy screen of bushes, they were amazed to find themselves in the mouth of a good sized stream. 

The water was knee deep, and flowed gently over a bed of sand andpebbles. For a distance of sixty or seventy feet inland the stream wasthree or four yards wide; then came a deep circular pool fed by abrawling waterfall that dashed impetuously down a mossy incline ofrocks. On all sides were inviting clumps of bushes, and slender treesbending over their weight of foliage, while from branch to branch swungfoxgrape vines. 

Near the head of the pool was a grassy open spot shaded by half a dozenmonster shellbark trees--a perfect little Eden. In fact the whole scenewas so entrancing to these lads, who well knew how to appreciateNature's most charming moods, that they stood still with the cool watersurging against their knees, to look and listen. 

The sunlight filtered obliquely through the leaves, gleaming here andthere in the dark thickets like stray gold, and shimmering on the eddiesof the pool. The air was fragrant with the scent of wild flowers, andfrom every direction came the music of birds and the busy chattering ofsquirrels. 

"I knew you fellows would fall in love with the place, " said Randy. "Just think of spending two or three days here--or maybe a week. There'snothing to prevent it. Under those shellbark trees is a grand place fora tent, and here is water enough to float fifty canoes. The bushescompletely hide the entrance, and when we are all fixed snug I'll defyBug Batters or any one else to find us in a month. What do you say, Ned?Do you think it's necessary now to go farther down the creek?"

Ned drew a long breath. 

"I think this is the most beautiful spot I ever saw, " he replied. "I'llstay here a week if the rest are willing. "

The rest _were_ willing--emphatically so. Clay immediately began toindulge in visions of trout fishing farther up the stream, which musthave its source in the mountains. Nugget declared it was a good placeto rest, while Randy expressed an opinion that game was plentiful in thevicinity. 

Having waded to the edge of the pool, where the water deepened abruptly, the boys returned as they had come, and were soon back on the gravelbar. They were too hungry to go to the trouble of making a fire, so theybreakfasted on damp crackers and dried beef, and found them verypalatable, too. 

Then, as the sun had already dried the things, the canoes were loadedand pushed up the mouth of the stream. The boys took good care to removeevery trace of their presence from the bar, and to deftly rearrange thescreen of bushes after passing through. 

The tent was soon staked under the shellbark trees, and the canoes werecarried out beside it. The Jolly Rovers now felt as safe as though theywere fifty miles down the creek. Being pretty well exhausted by theinterruption of the previous night and by their long paddle, they madepillows out of their blankets, and went to sleep on the grassy floor ofthe tent. 

But it is not an easy matter to turn day into night, and so the boysfound it. Ned awoke about noon, and threw the flap open so that the suncould stream into the tent--as much of it at least as came through thethick foliage. It was sufficient to rouse Randy and Nugget. Clay wasmissing, but as his fishing rod had also disappeared, no alarm was feltover this fact. 

Of course, dinner immediately suggested itself, so Ned started to makethe fire, while Randy inspected the supplies to see what was available. 

"Damp crackers and cold meat are about all we can count on, " heannounced dismally. "There are only a half a dozen potatoes here. Youmight boil some oatmeal, though. "

"We must get along with what we have, " replied Ned. "This afternoon someof us must make a foraging expedition. We can't be very far from afarmhouse. "

The fire was soon blazing merrily, and just as Ned placed the coffee poton the bars, a cheery whistle rang through the woods, and Clay appearedat the head of the pool. 

"See what you lazy fellows have missed, " he exclaimed, holding up astring of speckled brook trout. "I caught all those in the last twohours, and tramped more than a mile up stream to get them. "

The boys were delighted at this unexpected addition to their dinner, andthe spotted beauties were soon ready for the frying pan. Hunger made apiquant sauce, and the crackers, meat and fish vanished in short order. 

"I intend to let you fellows wash the dishes this time, " said Ned, whenthe meal was concluded. "I'm going after supplies. We certainly needthem badly enough. Did you see any signs of a farmhouse when you were upthe stream, Clay?"

"No indeed. The woods are thick in every direction, and I have no doubtthey stretch clear to the mountains. It's awfully wild and lonesomealong the stream. "

"No use in trying that direction then, " replied Ned. "I think I'll godown the creek in my canoe. "

"Let me go with you, " said Randy. "You may have a big load to carry backyou know. "

Ned hesitated an instant, and then gave his consent. He really preferredto be alone, but he saw that Randy was very sorry for his recent illconduct, and wanted to make what amends he could. 

Clay loaned Randy his canoe, and promised to repair the Water Spriteduring the latter's absence. Then the foraging expedition paddled outinto the creek, equipped with tin pails and canvas sacks. 

Clay and Nugget were at no loss to find occupation. It required a goodhalf hour to wash and dry the dishes, and after that a big stack offirewood was piled up. Then the Water Sprite was placed across two logs, and Clay proceeded to make the needed repairs. Having screwed the keelfirmly in place, he thrust cotton under its whole length with his knifeblade, and then put on a plentiful coating of white lead. 

"There!" he exclaimed, as he surveyed his own work with satisfaction. "That canoe won't leak a drop in the morning. I say, Nugget, let's gofishing a little while. It's only five o'clock, and the boys won't beback for an hour or two yet. "

Nothing could have pleased Nugget more. He made the proviso, however, that Randy's gun should be taken along. 

"I don't know what you're afraid of, " said Clay; "but I'll humor youanyhow. "

He shouldered the weapon, first looking to see that it was loaded, andstarted up the stream. Nugget trudged behind with the two fishing rods. 

Half a mile from camp the boys stopped by a deep pool that presented avery tempting aspect. The bushes and trees were dense all around it. 

"This is where I caught my first fish this morning, " whispered Clay, ashe put a nice fat worm on the hook and dropped it in the water. 

Almost instantly the line tightened, and the slender rod bent. Clay gavea quick pull, and something shiny whizzed through the air, landing witha dull flop some yards behind the boys. 

"That was a big fellow, " exclaimed Clay. "It flew clear off the hook. Get it for me, Nugget, will you? I want to catch another. "

Nugget obligingly dropped the hook he was baiting, and crawled on handsand knees into the thicket. 

A few seconds later he burst out, yelling wildly for help, while acrackling of bushes behind him told plainly that something or someonewas in close pursuit. 

CHAPTER X

A TRAMP ACROSS COUNTRY

Nugget dashed by Clay without stopping, and crossed the stream, close tothe lower end of the pool, in two or three frantic leaps. 

Clay was frightened himself, but observing that the rustling noise inthe thicket had ceased, he boldly stood his ground, taking theprecaution, however, to exchange his fishing rod for the gun. 

"What's wrong?" he demanded, turning warily toward Nugget, who was onthe opposite side of the stream with one hand clasping the low boughs of3 pine tree. 

"There's some wild animal in there, " cried Nugget hoarsely. "It lookedat me with its shining eyes, and then growled. Shoot it quick, before itcomes out. "

Just then the rustling in the thicket recommenced, and with wonderfulcelerity Nugget disappeared into the heart of the tree. 

But the creature, whatever it might be, was going in the oppositedirection from the pool. This emboldened Clay, and without hesitation hestarted in pursuit, paying no attention to Nugget's appealing cries. Guided by the threshing of bushes he pushed on for ten or twenty yards. 

Then it suddenly occurred to him that the animal might be a wildcat oreven a bear, that had strayed down from the mountains. A close encounterof this nature was by no means to Clay's liking. He stopped, and wasjust about turning back, when he saw a dark object passing through abreak in the thicket about thirty feet away. 

The shadows were too deep to afford a good glimpse of the animal, butClay did not hesitate. Drawing the gun to his shoulder he took quick aimand fired. 

When the smoke cleared the creature had vanished, but from a distancecame a queer grunting noise mingled with the hasty crashing of thebushes. 

"I believe that was a bear, " muttered Clay, "and unless I'm greatlymistaken I put a few shot into his hind quarters. "

He stood listening until the sounds had died away, and then retraced hissteps toward the pool, satisfied that no more trouble was to beapprehended from the unwelcome prowler. 

Nugget was still in the tree, and came down very reluctantly, even whenhe knew what had happened. Then the boys shouldered their fishing rodsand hurried back to camp, arriving there just as Ned and Randy paddledup the mouth of the stream. 

Clay's adventure--which he related with conscious pride--caused somewhatof a sensation. Randy and Nugget wanted to break camp at once, and Claywas more than inclined to side with them. 

"Nonsense!" exclaimed Ned. "I don't believe it was a wild animal at all, and even if it was it would hardly come near here again after being shotat. "

"Then what could it have been?" demanded Clay a little sharply. 

"Some stray domestic creature, as likely as not, " answered Ned. 

Clay did not reply. He was far from unwilling to accept this version ofthe affair, though he still had his doubts. 

The others were reassured by Ned's words, and when the fruits of theforaging expedition were taken from the canoes all else was forgottenbut supper. 

"Won't we have a feast?" said Randy. "Just see here, fellows. Fresh, yellow butter, a pail of milk, three pies, two loaves of bread, a cup ofcheese, a picked duck, and potatoes and apples! We had a time to getthem, though--a mile and a half down the creek, and half a mile over thefields. "

It was nearly dark when supper was ready, and the meal was eaten withsuch slow enjoyment that nine o'clock arrived before the last of thedishes were washed and put away. Then the tired boys went to bed, aftersecuring the tent flaps with more than usual care. 

No alarm disturbed their sleep that night. Wednesday dawned clear as awhistle. Before the sun was fairly up the boys took a plunge in the cooldepths of the pool, and the result was such a crop of voraciousappetites that Randy predicted another foraging expedition before theday was over. 

After breakfast Ned sat down on a stone, and spreading a lengthy paperon his knees, began to study it intently. 

"What have you there?" asked Randy. 

"A map of the Cumberland Valley, " replied Ned. "Do you know, we almostforgot about our mail arrangements? It's a good thing I remembered itthis morning. If this stream we are camping on now is Otter Run--andaccording to the-map it is--then West Hill is only half a dozen milesdue east of us. 

"That is the first place we were to expect letters, and we won't get anynearer to it than we are now. I think I'll walk over. You may go withme, Clay, if you like. The distance is too much for Nugget, and it'sRandy's turn to stay in camp. "

No objection was made to this arrangement, and all hurriedly producedpaper and pencils and sat down on the grass to write letters home. 

"I'm asking for a cake, " said Randy. "Where shall I have it sent?"

"Carlisle, " answered Ned. "We will be there next week. Tell them to makeit a big one. "

"And not to forget to put icing on it, " added Clay. 

"Oh, that goes without telling, " said Randy laughingly. "They know whatI like. "

In half an hour all the letters were sealed and addressed. Then Ned andClay brushed off their clothes and put on neckties, greatly to Randy'samusement. 

"What are you laughing at?" exclaimed Ned. "Don't you know that we maybe invited out to dinner at West Hill? I wish I had a dress suit withme. "

"What a pity you haven't, " said Randy mockingly. "Nugget will lend youhis yachting cap. "

"Of course I will, " said Nugget in all seriousness. "Say, Ned, " hewhispered, coming up close, "I--I have a white shirt in my bag and adotted vest. I thought they might come in handy. You are quite welcometo them, you know, if--"

Nugget's indiscreet confession went no further. Ned rolled on theground, choking with laughter. He actually couldn't help it. 

Clay and Randy had heard every word, and poor Nugget was finally obligedto take refuge in the tent. 

"This won't do, " said Ned, struggling to keep a sober face. "We must beoff. I hope you won't get in any fresh scrapes while we are away, Randy. You had better stay about camp. You may look for us back some time thisafternoon--not later than four o'clock. "

"Oh, I won't have time to get in mischief, " laughed Randy. "It will takeall day to write my log book up to date. I haven't touched it sincenight before last. "

It was about half past nine o'clock when the boys started. They paddledacross the creek and landed at the foot of the hill. Randy accompaniedthem in the Water Sprite, so that he could tow the canoe back with him. 

"Just you fellows sing out, " he said. "I'll hear you and come across. "

"All right, " returned Ned, as he commenced the steep ascent of the hill, with Clay at his heels. 

Reaching the summit they turned and waved their hands to Randy, who wasslowly paddling toward camp, far below them. 

Of the camp itself not a vestige could be seen, even from thiselevation. 

Then the boys set their faces toward the east, and strode brisklythrough the pine forest that covered the level plateau. For a mile ortwo the land was very rugged and lonely. Then open fields began toappear here and there, and an occasional farmhouse nestled amid orchardsin a valley, or standing boldly against the sky from a hill top. 

Such implicit faith did Ned place in his map that he shunned the roads, and did not think it worth while to stop at any of the farmhouses to askinformation. With a view to reaching the village in the most directmanner, he cut straight across country, skirting fields of grain andcorn, it is true, but taking everything else as it came--hills, ravines, orchards, and meadows. 

And all this time the boys were making one of the most foolish blundersthat can well be imagined--taking into consideration, of course, thepeculiar nature of the creek and the constantly shifting scenerythrough which they were passing. Later on, when the consequences oftheir thoughtlessness stared them in the face, they wondered how theycould have been so blind. 

When the farmhouse bells began to clang from distant points the boysknew that it was half past eleven o'clock. 

"We have surely covered six miles in two hours, " said Ned. "West Hillcan't be far away. No doubt we will see it from that next ridge. "

But when the ridge was gained no village was in sight. Something elsewas visible, however--a narrow country road, running at right angles tothe direction from which the boys had come; and nailed to the fence wasa sign post, inscribed in crooked black letters as follows:

 To West Hill 3 Miles. 

There was nothing for it but to go on, and that they did in a weary, dispirited manner. 

"The map can't be wrong, " said Ned, "the trouble is that we veered alittle too far south in our course. We'll make a nearer cut of it on thereturn trip. Walk a little faster, Clay; it will be a tight squeeze toreach camp by four o'clock. "

It wanted a little less than three hours to that time when the boysreached the little cluster of six houses which comprised West Hill. Thesignboard had probably told only half the truth in regard todistance--as country signboards usually do. 

The postoffice was, of course, combined with a produce store. At thistime of day its only occupants were the proprietor and a grizzled oldfarmer puffing at a corncob pipe. 

The letters were soon mailed, and in response to Ned's inquiry he washanded a weighty hat box addressed to Randolph Moore, and a batch ofhalf a dozen letters. 

"I'll bet a dollar that's a cake, " said Clay. "It will tickle Randy. "

"It wouldn't tickle him if he had to carry it about nine miles, " repliedNed ruefully, "and the box says 'handle with care, ' too. "

However, the cake could not be left behind, and the boys agreed to carryit by turns. 

"How far is Otter Run from here in a straight line?" inquired Ned of thestorekeeper. 

"'Bout eleven mile, " was the reply. "Ain't that kerect, Bowser?"

"It's mor'n that by road, " said the old farmer, taking his pipe from hislips. "It's a good thirteen mile to Tanner's Dam, an' the run comes injust below the mill race. "

The boys exchanged glances of dismay. 

"That map fooled me after all, " muttered Ned. "The camp can't beanywhere near Otter Run. "

He then explained the situation to the two men, describing as minutelyas possible the location of the camp. Both wagged their heads dubiously. 

"I can't fix it to a sartainty, " said the storekeeper. 

"Nor kin I, " observed Mr. Bowser. "There air heaps of jest sich runs, an' high hills an' bits of bad water--same as you chaps tell about. "

It was evident that no positive information could be obtained, so theboys said "good day, " and left the store. 

"Under the circumstances we won't risk making a bee line for camp, " saidNed. "If we had any landmarks to go by it would be different. "

"Then must we go back the way we came?" asked Clay. 

"Exactly; we have nine weary miles to tramp. I'm sorry, but it can't behelped. Just think of a good supper and a snug bed, Clay, and you won'tmind the distance so much. "

"It's this confounded box that worries me, " muttered Clay. "I believeI'd sooner carry a feather bed. The crazy thing jerks when I stick itunder one arm, and if I hug it to my breast it hits me on the chin everyfew seconds. It's so heavy that the cords cut my hand if I try to carryit that way. I wish I could balance it on my head. "

Clay did not exaggerate the perverse and obstinate nature of that hatbox. It changed bearers no less than six times before the mendacioussignpost was reached, and then its victims were so exhausted that theyhad to lie down on the grass and rest. 

CHAPTER XI

SEARCHING FOR THE CAMP

It was already past three o'clock when the boys resumed their tramp, abandoning the road and heading across country along the same course bywhich they had come. 

For the first two or three miles they did not pay any special attentionto the scenery around them; they were kept busy climbing fences andhills, and taking care of the refractory cake box, which became more andmore of a burden every moment. Finally as they were descending a longwooded slope, Ned was amazed to discover that the mountains, instead ofbeing straight ahead, lay off to the right. 

"That's a funny mistake, " he said. "I wonder how long we have beenmoving parallel with the creek instead of toward it? Some of those snakyravines we passed through must have turned us around without our knowingit. "

"I hope we haven't lost the path, " returned Clay. "Nothing about herelooks familiar to me, but then I didn't pay much attention to thescenery this morning. "

"Neither did I, " replied Ned uneasily, "and I'm afraid that's just wherewe made a big mistake. If we had only noted some landmarks as we camealong, we would not be in this fix now. It really is a pretty seriousfix, Clay. You see we can't tell how long we have been traveling in thiswrong direction. The only thing we can do now is to head straight forthe mountains, and run the chances of striking the creek in the vicinityof the camp. "

"That's true, " assented Clay. "I hope we'll reach it before dark. Randyand Nugget will be pretty badly scared if we don't. "

They started off again, headed this time in the proper direction. Ofcourse the mountains were visible only at rare intervals, and this addedto the perplexity of the situation, since it is very difficult to keepon a straight line unless some guiding point is constantly in view. 

It was soon evident that the boys were far astray from the path they hadfollowed that morning. The country was more lonely and rugged--acontinual succession of steep hills and dense bits of forest. Fewfarmhouses were visible, and those only at a distance. 

The sun sank lower and lower as they trudged wearily along. The manymiles already covered that day were beginning to tell on them severely. They were hungry, too, having eaten nothing since breakfast. 

"I wish we had bought some crackers and cheese at the store, " said Ned;"I thought about it when we were nearly a mile away, but it was too latethen to go back. "

"We have Randy's cake, " replied Clay. "I'm going to break into it if wedon't soon reach camp. I don't remember when I was so hungry as I amnow. "

"Wait a little while, " said Ned. "The creek surely can't be far away. The chances are that it lies beyond that next hill. "

The hill to which he had reference was a good half mile distant, and thepine trees on its crest loomed sharply against the blue sky. Erereaching it the boys were destined to be deprived of their burden in avery aggravating manner--and just when they had begun to appreciate itsvalue as a means of satisfying their hunger. 

As they emerged from a copse of hazel bushes on a narrow country road, abig black dog bounded from the step of a little cabin a few yards away, and came at them in a most ferocious manner. The boys darted across theroad and into a clover field through a broken place in the fence. 

The dog followed, paying not the least attention to the loud commands ofa woman who stood in the cabin door. When Ned wheeled around the brutewas within a dozen feet of him, growling savagely, showing his fangs andteeth, and coming on at a pace which meant business. 

Shouting had no effect whatever, and as not a stick or a stone waswithin reach, the boy's situation was far from pleasant. But he had thecake box in his arms, and on the impulse of the moment he lifted it overhis head with both hands and dashed it with all his might at theadvancing brute. 

It struck him fairly on the nose, breaking open with the force of theblow, and turning the angry snarls into a shrill yelp of pain. Ned didnot wait to see the result, but dashed across the field to overtakeClay. 

When they turned and looked back from a safe distance, the dog wasgreedily devouring the broken cake. 

"We won't be troubled with that any more, " said Ned. "I had to do it, orthe brute would have bitten me. I don't think Randy will blame me much. "

"It means good-by to our supper though, " replied Clay, "and from the waythat dog eats, his appetite won't be more than half satisfied when hefinishes the cake. We had better be moving on. "

This was prudent advice, and the boys made quick time across the field, not feeling thoroughly safe until they were in the shelter of the woods. The ground now began to ascend, and a few moments later they gained thetop of the hill and saw the silvery thread of the creek shining farbelow them. 

It took some time to descend, owing to the steepness of the slope, andthe rocks and bushes that obstructed the way. When they finally reachedthe water's edge the duskiness of twilight had come, and they knew thatdarkness would follow in a short time. 

"I haven't the faintest idea where we are, " said Ned uneasily; "ofcourse we are above the camp, no doubt of that; but just how far, is theimportant question. I feel like kicking myself for making that awfulblunder to-day. It would be a nice thing if we had to tramp all night. "

"You don't think the camp is that far away?" exclaimed Clay in alarm. 

"Oh, no, " replied Ned reassuringly. "We'll probably strike it beforelong. The only thing we can do is to follow the creek until we reachit. "

Ned's words were far from expressing what was really in his mind. Heknew that the camp might be very close in a straight line, and yet milesaway by the tortuous windings of the creek. And the latter was the onlypossible course to take. If they attempted the former they would almostcertainly become hopelessly lost. 

It was soon evident that the worst might be expected. In the deepeninggloom the boys hurried along the shore as fast as their weary feet wouldtake them. Then the blackness of the night settled down on the water andthe forests, and they were compelled to move cautiously; for trees andbushes were thick, and here and there a ravine had to be crossed, or abrawling stream. 

Ned bravely kept up his spirits, and did his best to cheer Clay. 

"It can't be much farther, " he would say now and then; "keep your earsopen for the roar of those rapids. That will tell us when we are nearcamp. "

But the night lengthened without bringing the welcome sound, and at lastthe boys found their progress abruptly barred by a steep bluff that fellabruptly into the water. It was not the hill that lay in the vicinity ofcamp, else the rapids could surely have been heard. The night was verystill, except for an occasional noise in the forest that made the boysstart. 

They were confronted now by two equally unpleasant alternatives--eitherto remain where they were until morning, or to make a detour around thehill, and try to reach the creek on the lower side. 

They chose the latter, and started up through the woods hand in hand. They might have foreseen what would happen. The night was very dark, andafter floundering about through the bushes they became hopelessly lost, and knew not which way to turn in search of the creek. 

Clay was quite in despair, but Ned persuaded him to move on, and aftertramping for ten or fifteen minutes without the least idea which waythey were headed, they reached a fence that separated the woods from anopen field. As they mounted the top bar and perched themselves there fora short rest, Ned uttered a cry of delight, and pointed out a flickeringyellow gleam far across the field. 

"Hurrah! that must be the camp, " exclaimed Clay, springing impetuouslyfrom the fence. "Come on; let's run for it. I don't feel a bit tirednow. "

"Not too fast, " cried Ned warningly. "You're jumping at a rashconclusion now, Clay. That light is in the window of some farmhouse. Itstands to reason that it can't be at our camp. "

Clay stopped and retraced his steps. 

"I was dead sure it was the campfire, " he said dismally. "I thought ourtroubles were over. "

"Perhaps they are, " replied Ned slowly. "We'll go up to that farmhouseand find out exactly how the land lies. If the camp is not far off, we'll borrow a lantern and push on--otherwise we'll ask for a place tosleep until morning. "

This arrangement was thoroughly satisfactory to Clay, and the boysstarted briskly across the field. They found an orchard at the fartherend, and after passing through this and rounding the corner of the barn, they saw the house in front of them. 

It stood in a good sized yard inclosed by a picket fence. The light wasin one of the upper front rooms, where some late retiring member of thefamily was no doubt preparing for bed. 

"It won't do to make any racket, " said Ned, "because there may be a dogaround. We'll go quietly in and rap on the door. "

The boys softly opened the gate and entered the yard. In spite of theutmost caution their feet made a crunching noise on the gravel path, andthe consequence was that before they were half way to the house a dogbegan to bark furiously. Worse still, the sound came from between themand the fence, so that escape was cut off. 

"This way, " cried Ned, dashing toward the corner of the house. "We mayfind shelter in the outbuildings. "

He had taken but a dozen steps when his feet clattered on some looseboards. These gave way with a crash, and after a brief drop throughempty space, he plunged into ice cold water, going clear under thesurface. 

The noise of the splitting wood that followed warned Clay of his danger. He stood stock still, trembling in every limb. 

The dog did not appear to be coming any nearer, and his shrill barkingwas now mingled with the clank of chains. All at once Clay comprehendedthe situation. The brute was fastened to his kennel somewhere near thegate, and was therefore powerless to do harm. 

Clay's presence of mind quickly returned. He drew a match from hispocket and struck it on his shoe just as a feeble cry for help cameapparently from the bowels of the earth. 

As the blaze flared up Clay saw the partially covered mouth of a welljust in front of him. The gap between the planking showed where Ned hadfallen through. 

Clay was terribly alarmed, but he had sufficient presence of mind tokneel beside the orifice and hold the match down. 

"Are you hurt, Ned?" he cried huskily. "Can you hold out for a moment ortwo?"

"I'm all right so far, " came the reply in a feeble, chattering voice. "Ican't stand it long, though. The water is over my head, and I'm holdingon to the cracks in the wall. Waken the family, quick!"

CHAPTER XIII

OVER THE CLIFF

Ned's last injunction was quite unnecessary. The loud outcry of the doghad already roused the family. 

Heads were poked from two or three windows, and a shrill feminine voicewas shouting: "Get the gun, pap, get the gun!"

Meanwhile Clay continued to call for help at the top of his voice, finally drowning out the ferocious barking of the dog, and after whatseemed an interminable length of time the door of the house opened andthe farmer appeared on the threshold, attired in shirt and trousers. 

He had a gun in one hand and a candle in the other. Behind him were twogood sized lads armed with clubs, while the flutter of a petticoat wasvisible on the stairway. 

"Hurry! hurry!" cried Clay. "There's some one down the well. "

The farmer crossed the yard with provoking calmness, holding his gunready for use. 

"Why, it's only a boy!" he exclaimed, on catching sight of Clay. "Whatare you doing here, you young rascal?"

"Don't stop to ask questions now, " implored Clay. "Get my friend out ofthe well, or he will be drowned. "

The farmer uttered an exclamation, and peeped through the broken boards. Then he seized the bucket that was suspended by a windlass over the welland quickly lowered it. 

"Catch hold down there, " he shouted gruffly. 

"All right, go ahead, " came the sepulchral response, a moment later. 

The farmer and his two sons threw their weight on the handle of thewindlass, and after considerable creaking and groaning Ned was broughtto the surface and helped out on the ground. His face and hands wereblue and his teeth chattered violently. 

"Bring the poor fellow right in, " called the farmer's wife from theporch, where she had witnessed the whole affair. "I'll go light thefire. "

"The rascal don't deserve it, " muttered the farmer, but nevertheless heled the boys into the house, and thence to a large room containing astove, a table, a huge settee and half a dozen chairs. A lamp wasburning on the mantel, and a pleasant faced old lady was bustling aboutthe stove. 

Ned's wet clothes were quickly stripped off, and he was rolled inblankets and made to lie down on the settee. Presently the old ladybrought him a bowl of steaming camomile tea, and after he had swallowedmost of the nauseous mixture he began to feel quite himself again. Then, seeing that the farmer was suspicious and anxious for an explanation, he insisted on talking, and related the whole story in such a clear andconcise manner that his hearers were thoroughly convinced. 

The farmer thawed out, and showed himself in his true colors--a genial, kind-hearted old man. He told the boys his name was Adam Plunkett, andlaughingly apologized for mistaking them for thieves. 

When Mrs. Plunkett heard that they had eaten nothing since breakfast sheimmediately began to set the table--in spite of the fact that it wasthen half past ten o'clock. Ned refused to be treated as an invalid anylonger, so Mr. Plunkett gave him a suit of clothes to wear while his ownwere drying. 

The food was soon ready, and the famished boys did it full justice. 

"I reckon you'll want to go to bed now, " said Mr. Plunkett; "you must beworn out after all that tramp. In the morning I'll tell you how to findyour camp. I recognize the place from your description. It's about fivemiles and a half from here by road, and a good bit further by thecreek. "

The boys gasped with amazement. It was hard to realize that they hadstrayed so far out of their way. 

"I'm afraid our companions will be greatly worried, " said Ned. "That'sall I'm thinking about. "

"A little worry won't hurt 'em, " asserted Mr. Plunkett cheerfully. "It'll do 'em good, and make them more glad to see you in the morning. "

This bit of philosophy had its effect on the boys, and the last traceof anxiety vanished when their host conducted them to the room they wereto occupy. It was the typical country "spare bed-chamber. " Home spuncarpet covered the floor, and on the walls were cardboard mottoes inwalnut frames, a sampler yellow with age, and portraits of George andMartha Washington. The bed was a huge four poster, and stood so highthat the boys had to give a spring in order to climb in. 

They fell asleep almost instantly, and found it difficult to get up inthe morning when the farmer banged on the door with his heavy fist. 

Mrs. Plunkett had a delicious breakfast ready when the boys came downstairs, and after they had eaten their fill the farmer carefullyinstructed them how to reach their camp--or rather how to reach acertain point on the creek which was less than a quarter of a mile abovethe rapids. 

The boys had read the character of their hosts sufficiently well to knowthat it would be regarded as an insult if they should offer them money. So they thanked them profusely for their generous treatment, and said"good-by, " promising to stop if they ever chanced to be in that vicinityagain. 

After a good sleep and a good breakfast the five mile walk was a trifleto the boys. They had no difficulty in following the directions, andabout half past ten o'clock they turned aside from the road and entereda piece of woods. 

Ten minutes later they stood on the bank of the creek, listening to thefamiliar sound of the rapids below them. The steep hill began at thispoint, making it impossible to follow the shore, so they began theascent and reached the crest after a pretty stiff climb. The camp wasnow directly opposite, though entirely concealed by the huge shellbarktrees. 

"Let's give them the yell, " said Ned. He placed his hand to his mouthand uttered a regular Indian war whoop that woke the echoes for a longdistance. Clay did the same, and they both stopped to listen. 

A minute went by in silence, and then another. No glad shout of welcomerang out from the trees. No graceful canoe parted the fringe of bushesthat concealed the mouth of the run. 

What was the matter? Were the boys sleeping so soundly that the signalcould not rouse them? This seemed the only possible explanation, so Clayand Ned shouted more vigorously than ever, and kept it up until theywere hoarse. 

Not a sound came back. The silence of the morning was absolutelyunbroken. 

The boys looked at each other with pale and frightened faces. They darednot even whisper the terrible thoughts that were in their minds. Then, by tacit consent, they scrambled down the ragged face of the hill, andat great peril to life and limb gained the bottom in three or fourminutes. 

They partly undressed to wade to the gravel bar, for the water was morethan waist deep. Here they stopped a moment to put on their clothes, andthen, with trousers rolled high up, they waded to the mouth of thestream, and pushed eagerly through the screen of bushes. 

The scene that met their gaze filled them with dread and amazement. _Theglade was deserted. Every vestige of the camp had disappeared. _

For a moment the boys could scarcely believe the evidence of their owneyes. They hurried forward and inspected every foot of the ground. 

Absolutely nothing had been left behind. The downtrodden grass, wherethe tent had stood, was the only evidence to show that a camp hadrecently been here. 

"This is a bigger mystery than I can see through, " said Ned as he bentover the blackened stones of the fireplace. "The boys must have lefthere some time yesterday, for these ashes are cold. It looks as thoughthey had to leave in a hurry, too, for if they had any time to sparethey would surely have placed a message where we could see it. I haveexamined all the trees and bushes, and there is no sign of any. "

"It's a bad business, " replied Clay. "The boys would not have brokencamp without some cause. I only hope that Bug Batters and his companionshad nothing to do with it. "

The same fear was in Ned's mind just then, and it was very natural thatit should be. How else could the disappearance of the boys be accountedfor?

"We can't tell anything about it, " he answered evasively, "and it wouldbe very foolish to jump at the worst conclusions. It will be our bestplan to start down the creek at once, and I have no doubt we'll find thecamp before very long. It's not at all likely the boys have moved faraway. "

"But they may have concealed themselves somewhere, " said Clay, "andbesides we don't know which bank they are on. "

"We'll keep a sharp lookout on both sides, " replied Ned. "If we shoutevery now and then I don't think we can miss them. We had better startright away. I'm getting tired of wandering about the country in thisfashion. It will feel awfully good to climb in a canoe again. "

Clay warmly assented to this, and after a last lingering glance at theshady thickets and the eddying surface of the pool, the boys plodded offthrough the woods. 

For a time they experienced no difficulty in following the edge of thecreek, and thus scrutinizing the opposite shore as well as the one theywere on. Occasionally they shouted; first at rare intervals, then morefrequently as they advanced farther along the creek. 

At the expiration of an hour and a half they had traveled three or fourmiles, and rounded a couple of large bends without getting any responseto their calls, or finding the least trace of the missing boys. 

Then a precipitous hill blocked the way, extending a considerabledistance along the creek, and leading sheer to the water from avariable height of forty to sixty feet. 

"No use in going around it, Ned. We'll follow the crest so we can watchthe opposite shore. "

They easily gained the summit, and found a sort of open path between theedge of the thick pine forest and the verge of the cliff. It was half adozen feet wide and had quite a downward slope. There was quite anelement of danger connected with the ascent, since it was slippery witha coating of pine needles. The boys did not think of this, however. Ofcourse they kept close to the trees, but as their gaze was fixed on theopposite shore, which was in plain view far below them, they could notpick out their footing as carefully as they should have done. 

Pine needles are treacherous things, even on level ground, and when Clayhappened to step on a particularly thick bunch his foot slipped and hewas thrown quickly on his side. Before he could realize his danger heslid to the verge of the precipice--where there was nothing to stophim--and vanished from sight. 

Ned was horror stricken, and had to clutch the nearest tree for support. Half a dozen seconds passed, but the splash that he dreaded to hear didnot come. Then he made his way cautiously to a rock that jutted from thecliff half a dozen-feet from where Clay had fallen. Ned threw himselfflat on his breast and peered down. 

Clay was twenty feet below him clinging to a bunch of stout bushes thatgrew in a crevice of the cliff. His feet rested on a tiny ledge no morethan six inches wide, and below him was a clear drop of thirty feet tothe dark surface of the creek. 

Ned realized his utter inability to render aid, and his agony found ventin a sharp cry. 

Clay turned a white, pitiful face upward. 

"You can't help me, " he gasped hoarsely. "The bushes are tearing loose. If the water is deep I stand a chance. Try to get--"

His feeble voice was smothered by a sharp ripping noise, and the nextinstant he plunged downward, attended by a shower of dirt and stones. 

CHAPTER XIII

WHAT CLAY SHOT

We must now take the reader back to the previous morning, and see whatbefell Randy and Nugget after their companions had started for WestHill. Nugget amused himself until dinner time by fishing at the mouth ofthe run, and caught a number of sunfish and chubs. 

When he returned Randy had just finished entering the events of thecruise in the log book. Then they started in to get dinner, and Randyproved himself no novice in culinary affairs by frying a deliciouspanful of fish and boiling some excellent coffee. 

The distasteful work of washing the dishes was duly performed, and thenthey began to consider what they should do next. Randy wanted to go awayup the stream for trout, but Nugget was unwilling to trust himself inthe woods after his experience of the previous evening, and was equallydetermined not to remain alone in camp. 

This obstinate conduct roused Randy's temper, and indications pointed alively quarrel. 

"I never saw such a coward, " he exclaimed angrily. "You're a nice fellowto go on a canoe trip, I must say. "

"I'm not a coward, " returned Nugget hotly. "I'm not afraid of you, anyhow, and if you call me any more names I'll show you something. "

Randy laughed scornfully, and was about to make a bitter reply when atrampling noise was heard in the woods behind the tent, followed by aviolent agitation of the bushes. A few seconds later a big brindle cowappeared on the scene, followed by a small boy shouting "Hi! hi!" at thetop of his voice. 

The cow was evidently in no mood to listen to argument; she pranced atthe tent with lowered horns, knocked it flat, and trampled with dirtyhoofs over the clean canvas. 

Then she rushed at Nugget with a vicious bellow, and after pursuing hima few yards in the direction of the creek, she suddenly changed hermind, and charged on Randy and the small boy, who were standing by theedge of the pool. The latter escaped by dodging nimbly to one side, butRandy was not agile enough, and as the cow brushed by him her revolvingtail lashed him smartly over the face, and tumbled him into the pool. 

He emerged dripping wet, and mad as a hornet, just in time to see thecow retreating in the direction she had come, with the small boy inpursuit. 

"Look here, " cried Randy, "what do you mean by letting a vicious animallike that run loose? Look at that tent, and look at the condition I'min. For half a cent I'd get my gun and shoot the brute. "

The boy stopped at the edge of the bushes and looked back. He was quitea little fellow, with sunburned legs and face. 

"That cow has more right here than you-uns, " he said sullenly. "My uncleDan owns this land. He knows you-uns are here, and he's comin' downpretty soon, too. He says you-uns will be sorry you shot that calf aforehe gits done with you. "

Randy stared at the lad in amazement, and then a sudden light broke onhis mind. 

"That explains the bear story, " he muttered, and then added to Nugget, who had just ventured to come forward: "You fellows have got us in apretty mess. It was a calf that Clay shot last night. I'm glad it's notmy fault this time. "

"A calf!" exclaimed Nugget. "I don't see how it can be possible. It hadshiny eyes. "

"The calf was shot, anyhow, " said the boy. "It got astray yesterdayafternoon, and our hired man found it this morning. It ain't hurt verybad, an Uncle Dan thinks it'll get well. That's the reason the cow is socross, 'cause she can't have the calf with her. She broke the fence downthis morning an' got into the woods. I'll have a hard time gittin' herhome again. "

"You say your uncle is cross about the calf?" asked Randy. 

"He's hoppin' mad, " said the boy. "He's going to give you all alickin', an' then hev you locked up for trespassin'. "

"But suppose we explain to him that it was all a mistake, and offer topay the damages, " continued Randy, "wouldn't that satisfy him?"

The boy shook his head. 

"Uncle Dan ain't that kind. When he gets mad nobody kin stop him, Ireckon he'll lick you chaps pretty hard. "

"I reckon he won't, " said Randy, decisively. "Not if we know ourselves. Pitch in and help, Nugget; we must light out of this as quick aspossible. "

Nugget was only too willing to lend his aid, and the tent was speedilyrolled up, and deposited in the cockpit of the Pioneer, where itbelonged. 

"Uncle Dan may be here any minute, " said the boy. "You-uns had betterwait. "

"Say, you'd like to see us licked, wouldn't you?" inquired Randy. "I'msorry we can't oblige you by staying. Here is a dollar for your uncle tosquare up the damage to the calf. Just say to him that it was a mistake, and that he needn't come after us, because we are going straight throughto Harrisburg. "

The lad pocketed the money, and after looking on for a little while insilence he went away to hunt the refractory cow. 

The boys worked with feverish energy--not forgetting to keep a sharp eyeon the woods--and in scarcely more time than it takes to tell everythingwas in the canoes. 

"It goes hard to leave here, " said Randy, "but it can't be helped. Itwould be a nice ending to the canoe trip if we got locked up fortrespassing. I hope the dollar will satisfy that man. "

"What are we going to do about Ned and Clay?" asked Nugget. 

"I'll attend to that, " replied Randy, as he stepped into the WaterSprite and tied its stern to the bow of the Pioneer. 

The other two canoes were arranged in the same way, and then the boyspaddled quickly out of the stream. 

They first crossed to the other side of the creek, where Randy wrote ashort explanatory note for Ned and Clay, instructing them to follow thecreek down about three or four miles. 

"It won't be safe for us to stop short of that distance, " he remarked ashe pinned the big white document to a tree at the base of the hill. 

"The boys can't miss this when they come down to the water. They oughtto be here in about two hours. "

Having arranged their means of communication, Randy climbed back intothe canoe, and led the way down stream. Progress was necessarilytedious, since the current was sluggish, and each had an additionalcanoe in tow. They felt more at ease when they had passed round thefirst bend, and after paddling for two or three miles--as nearly ascould be judged--they began to search for a good camping place. 

They did not find one that suited their requirements for some time, butfinally, while drifting along the base of a precipitous cliff, they cameto a good sized cleft or hollow. It was half a dozen yards wide. Itsloped gradually upward, narrowing as it went, until it terminated in aravine which seemed to continue on to the top of the hill. 

The beach was hard and stony ground, with a few stunted bushes, butthere was ample room for a tent, and moreover on each side was a sheerwall of rock towering forty feet in the air. 

The boys landed, and with much difficulty dragged the canoes out of thewater. 

"This place just suits us, " said Randy. "There is no danger of thefarmer finding us here, if we _are_ on his side of the creek. And weneed not be afraid to keep a fire going, because these rocks will shutout the light. "

It was now half past four o'clock, and when the tent had been pitched--adifficult piece of work for two persons--and the canoes unloaded, theboys began to prepare a good supper in readiness for Ned and Clay. 

Six o'clock came, and then seven, but the anxiously expected ones didnot appear on the other side of the creek. 

Randy and Nugget were too hungry to wait any longer, so they ate theirsupper by twilight. When it grew a little darker they built a roaringfire at the edge of the water. There was an abundance of driftwoodfarther up the slope, which had been left there at various times by thehigh water. 

When nine o'clock came the boys were seriously alarmed, and all sorts ofdreadful possibilities occurred to them. They found it impossible tosleep, and all through the long hours of that night they sat about thefire, constantly piling on wood, and keeping a huge blaze going to guidethe missing ones to the camp. 

The first glimmer of dawn found them worn out by sleeplessness anddespair. It was impossible to maintain their vigil any longer, so theystuck the pennant in the sand close to the edge of the water, andcrawling into the tent, went to sleep side by side. 

A cannon shot could hardly have wakened them then. The sun rose higherand higher until its direct rays beat fiercely down upon the tent from acloudless sky above, but still they slumbered on. 

The heat finally became intolerable, and Randy turned drowsily over andopened his eyes. As he sat up with an effort, struggling to clear hismind, he heard a tremendous splash, and then a loud, shrill cry. 

He was thoroughly awake now, and jerking Nugget to an upright position, he turned and ran out of the tent. He gained the shore and looked upstream. 

A thick mass of bushes was drifting leisurely along the base of thecliff a dozen feet above, and something behind it--as yet invisible--wasmaking a great commotion in the water. 

Then a head appeared, and a pair of struggling arms, and to his joy andamazement Randy recognized Clay. The lad's strength barely sufficed toreach the shore, and Randy helped him out on land just as Nugget camerunning from the tent. 

Clay staggered up the slope and dropped down in the bushes. 

"I fell off the cliff, " he stammered with chattering teeth. "Ned is upthere; call to him. "

Randy and Nugget shouted with all their might, and a reply was heardinstantly. Then Ned appeared far up on the cliff and waved his hand. Hevanished at once, and a moment later came impetuously down the ravine, leaping rocks and bushes in his haste. 

His face was paler than the boys had ever seen it, and tears stood inhis eyes. He hurriedly clasped hands with Randy and Nugget, andapproached Clay. 

"Are you hurt, old fellow?" he asked huskily. "That was a wonderfulescape. I thought it was all up with you. "

Clay smiled faintly. 

"I'll be all right in a little while. I'm suffering from the shock, that's all. I don't think there is a bruise on me. "

A fire was quickly made, while Ned explained to his companions thecatastrophe that had happened on the cliff. Then Clay was stripped andrubbed down with a coarse towel, and after his dry clothes were on hedeclared he felt as well as ever. 

A good dinner was prepared, and when all were seated around the flatrock that served for a table, Ned produced the packet of letters andgave a minute account of the wanderings and adventures which it had costto obtain them. The story of Randy's cake provoked much laughter, andRandy assured Ned that he had done the proper thing under thecircumstances. 

Then the other side of the story was told, and listened to with evengreater interest. Clay was chaffed unmercifully about the calf, andNugget also came in for a goodly share of ridicule. 

The failure of the boys to find Randy's letter was a mystery at first, but Ned finally suggested that it had been blown into the water, whichwas no doubt the case. 

CHAPTER XIV

CAUGHT IN THE WHIRLPOOL

About three o'clock the boys broke camp. They were now thoroughlyrested, and eager to be on the water again. Moreover the cleft among therocks--though admirably adapted for a hiding place--had none of thequalifications which a good camping site should possess. 

A paddle of two miles brought the party to Tanner's Dam, and when theyhad carried the canoes around and embarked on the lower side they passedthe mouth of the real Otter Run. This enabled Ned to fix their bearingsdefinitely on the map, and he resolved to keep close track of thetopography of the creek in the future. 

About six o'clock a beautiful place to camp was found on the left shoreof the creek; shade was abundant, and the soil was level and grassy. Afew yards up the beach a spring bubbled and spurted from a nest ofrocks. 

As the boys landed a flock of wild ducks flew up with a great splashing, and winged their way down the creek. Along the opposite shore, which wasflat and marshy, yellow-legged snipe were running to and fro, a coupleof gray herons standing contentedly on one leg, were gobbling minnowsfrom the shallow pools. 

This was now Thursday evening. It would be a week on the morrow sincethe Jolly Rovers had started on their cruise. They were so pleased withthe location of the camp, and the opportunities it seemed to offer thatthey concluded to remain for a while, and here they spent Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. 

The keen and peaceful enjoyments of those four days were in vividcontrast to the turbulent, adventurous life the boys had led during thepast week. They looked back upon it afterward as the brightest period oftheir cruise. 

Sunday was spent quietly in camp, but the remainder of the time wasfilled up with all sorts of occupations. Randy shot numerous snipe andwoodcock. Clay and Nugget gave their attention to fishing, and caughtaltogether some thirty or forty large bass--not counting the trout whichthey snared in a neighboring brook. 

Ned found his keenest enjoyment in wandering over the country fromfarmhouse to farmhouse and bringing back tempting supplies. He was aborn forager, and well understood the art of making bargains with thefarmers. 

The boys lived on the fat of the land, and at very slight cost. The dietof fish and game was constantly varied by green corn, new potatoes, sometimes peaches or melons, and occasionally a plump duck or chicken. Only on one day did it rain, and this merely served to make the fishbite better. 

But each and every one of the Jolly Rovers had the true instinct of thecanoeist, and when Monday's sun dropped redly behind the hills they wereeager to start afresh on their wanderings. Their arms tingled to graspthe paddle and drive the graceful canoe over the blue water; they longedto explore the great unknown territory that lay in front of them, toseek new camping grounds and new adventures. 

At eight o'clock on Tuesday morning the crimson and gold pennant stoodstiffly against the breeze as it led the little fleet from the spotwhere so many happy hours had been spent. 

It was a glorious day--a day when all living things should have beenhappy. So it seemed to the boys as they paddled lazily down mid-channelwith the slanting sunbeams on their bronzed and radiant faces. 

But the business of life went on just the same around them. The hungrybass with his piratical black fin just cutting the surface, scatteredthe shoals of minnows, and sadly lessened their numbers. The kingfisherscooped occasionally from his perch to return with a shining morsel, andthe gray heron stalked among the pools like a duck on stilts, searchingthe muddy bottom for tender young frogs. 

Back in the forest the crows and the blue jays were waging a bittersquallish conflict, and here and there weary toilers among the yellowgrain dropped their scythes to watch the canoes drifting by. 

But the problem of life cast no shadow on the Jolly Rovers, and theypaddled on contentedly, finding something new to admire every fewminutes. 

Nugget was more than usually happy that morning. The past few days hadtaught him the bright side of canoeing, and he fondly hoped to find thefuture just as smooth and free from snags. 

He was dipping his paddle from side to side in a leisurely way when hiseyes chanced to rest on the bottom of the cockpit. Right between hisknees was a flat little head with two bead-like eyes and a red tonguethat darted quickly in and out. Attached to the head was a longgracefully coiled body, mottled like the skin of a brook trout. 

The yell that burst from Nugget's lips would have done credit to a Siouxwarrior. It scared the snake half out of its wits, and the reptilewriggled under the bottom board. 

"Help! Murder! Snakes!" roared Nugget, partly rising and clutching thecombing with both hands. "Help me, help me! I'll be bitten. I'll die. "

"Where is it?" cried Ned, paddling alongside. 

"Stamp on it, " shouted Randy. "Throw it out and I'll shoot it. "

Nugget only yelled the more and shook the canoe so violently by hisantics that it threatened to tip over. 

"Be careful, " Ned warned him. "You will upset. Paddle to shore and we'lltake the snake out for you. "

"I can't, I can't, " shrieked Nugget. "My paddle fell overboard. There itgoes. "

Ned and Clay started simultaneously for the drifting paddle, but theyhad hardly taken a dozen strokes when the snake thrust his head out of acrevice in the bottom boards. 

This proved too much for Nugget. Uttering yell after yell he sprang tohis feet and tried to climb out on the foredeck of the canoe. The Imprefused to stand such treatment, and tipped over instantly, throwingNugget head first into the water. 

Fortunately the creek was shallow at this point, and after going under acouple of times, and swallowing a quantity of water--owing to hispersistent yelling--Nugget gained a foothold without the aid of hisfriends, and waded shoulder deep for the nearest shore. 

Amid all the confusion the snake escaped in some manner from theoverturned canoe, and swam rapidly down stream. Ned and Clay went inpursuit, but the reptile was too swift for them, and safely gained apatch of reeds. 

The Imp was quickly righted and towed to shore. The contents were littledamaged, and Nugget made haste to change his clothes. 

"I'd like to know how that snake got in my canoe, " he said angrily. "Itwas a beastly mean trick. "

"I don't believe it was a trick at all, " exclaimed Ned laughingly. "Thesnake must have crawled in when the canoe was lying on shore, bottom up. It no doubt thought it had found a nice snug place to live. "

"That's the way it happened, of course, " said Randy. "No one would havebeen mean enough to put it in on purpose. "

Clay said nothing, but turned abruptly aside and began to busy himselfwith his canoe. 

The delay was of brief duration, and the Jolly Rovers were soon afloatagain. Nugget had stretched his wet clothes across the fore and reardeck of his canoe, so that the sun would quickly dry them. 

About noon, while the boys were paddling through a deep and narrow partof the creek, Ned called attention to a bunch of ducks that were feedingin the reeds some distance down the right shore. All eyes were turned inthat direction, and consequently no one happened to glance toward theopposite bank. 

Clay had fallen a little behind his companions, and was three or fouryards to the left of them. He was drifting along with his gaze fixed onthe ducks, when all at once his canoe began to twist and oscillate in amost alarming manner. 

He turned quickly to see what was the matter, and the first glance senta chill of fear to his heart. He was on the edge of a violently agitatedpatch of water that kept moving round and round in constantly narrowingcircles until it ended in a funnel shaped aperture that went beneath thesurface, and was itself whirling in dizzy revolutions. 

Even as he looked his canoe drifted into the second circle, and mountedtoward a great rock fifty or sixty feet high that rose straight from thewater on the left shore. 

Clay realized his situation instantly. He was caught in the whirlpoolwhich some of the farmers had spoken about in a vague manner, as thoughthey doubted its existence. There was no doubt about it now. Thewhirlpool was a stern reality, and he was fast in its embrace. 

Without calling his companions, Clay tried to paddle away from thecircling current. But to his horror and consternation the canoe wasunmanageable. The violent paddle strokes simply made it swing around onits keel. 

Then Clay became terribly frightened, and shouted for help. It wasindeed high time. He had already drifted to the base of the rock wherethe whirlpool terminated, and was now swinging back toward the center ofthe creek. 

The appeal for help--though its meaning was not comprehended atfirst--brought the other boys to Clay's assistance. That is to say theypaddled toward the dangerous spot and were within an ace of getting inthe same fix, when Clay frantically warned them back. 

"Keep away! keep!" he shouted. "You must find some other way to helpme. "

Ned was the first to grasp the situation. During the last few days hehad heard more than one tale about this dreaded whirlpool with itsmerciless undertow, and now it made him sick and faint to see Clay'speril, and yet be unable to devise a way of helping him. 

For so it seemed then. It would be simple folly and madness for theothers to trust themselves near the rapacious current; yet how elsecould help reach the imperiled lad?

The whirlpool was thirty feet in diameter, and while Randy and Nuggetwere looking on with white, scared faces, and Ned was vainly trying toplan a means of rescue, Clay was slowly drifting around the circle, coming nearer each time to the gurgling funnel in the center--and thisin spite of the most strenuous paddling. Each stroke, in fact, onlydeflected the canoe sideways, as though it had no keel, and increasedthe risk of upsetting. 

None realized the danger more than Clay himself and the horror of thosefew short minutes--they seemed more like hours--he never forgot. 

It was not likely of course that the heavy canoe could be dragged clearunder water; the whirlpool was no such gigantic thing as that. But itwas absolutely certain that when the canoe reached the funnel shapedaperture in the center it would instantly be overturned, and just assurely Clay would be sucked into the black depths below, and whirled offby the fierce undercurrent with no possible chance of reaching thesurface. 

This was the awful fate that stared him in the face; and all that whilehe drifted nearer and nearer the end, crying vainly for help, andbeating the frothy water with his paddle. 

CHAPTER XV

RANDY'S PROPOSITION

At the moment when Clay's situation seemed most hopeless--and while hishorrified companions were looking on with the silence of despair--Nuggetleaned forward in his canoe, opened the hatch, and drew out a big ballof cord. 

"Ned! Ned!" he shouted eagerly, "can you do anything with this outline?I forgot I had it. "

Ned's face flushed with joy, and paddling alongside of Nugget hesnatched the cord. 

"Follow me to the shore, " he cried, "and you too, Randy. "

An instant later the three lads were standing on the gravel beach, separated from the whirlpool by no less than sixty or seventy feet. 

Ned waved his hand to Clay, and shouted hoarsely: "Fight hard, oldfellow! We'll save you in a minute. "

Then turning quickly to his companions he demanded: "How long is thisline?"

"One hundred and forty feet, " answered Nugget. "The man I bought it from, said so. "

Ned tied the end of it to a ring in the stern of the Pioneer, and randown the beach, unrolling the ball as he went. Sixty feet away hestopped and cut the cord, then he hurried back with the remainder in hishand. He tied a short stick to the end of the ball, and throwing bothinto his canoe scrambled after them. 

"Now you fellows keep tight hold of that, " he directed, pointing to thecord that lay outstretched on the beach. "Pay it out as I go, and when Igive the word pull with all your might. "

Randy and Nugget began to understand now, and they allowed the line totrail through their fingers as Ned paddled furiously away, heading for apoint a little above the whirlpool. 

It was a critical and intensely exciting moment. Clay had divined whatNed intended to do, and with this gleam of hope to animate him, he wasfighting desperately to keep away from the gurgling hollow which wasslowly sucking him into its embrace. 

There was scant time to spare when Ned ceased paddling a few feet aboveand to the right of the whirlpool, and allowed the canoe to drift downstream broadside. But he was wonderfully cool headed and self-possessed, as, with deft fingers he unwrapped the ball of cord and coiled itbetween his knees. Then he twisted one end about his left hand, and withthe right seized the short, heavy stick. 

He was now directly opposite Clay, and measuring the distance with aquick eye, he flung the stick straight out. It rose in the air, draggingthe cord gracefully after it, and fell across the combing of Clay'scanoe. 

Ned uttered a sigh of relief, and Randy and Nugget cheered wildly fromthe shore. 

But the danger was not over yet, though Clay had instantly seized theline. The canoe would upset at once if an attempt were made to drag itbroadside out of the whirlpool. 

Clay comprehended this, and he was quick witted enough to solve theproblem. Though his canoe was now verging on the trough of thewhirlpool, he calmly tied the line around one blade of his paddle andpressed this with all his might against the big screw eye that was setin the bow of the canoe. 

"All right, " he shouted hoarsely. 

Ned turned and waved his hand to Randy and Nugget. They understood thesignal, and instantly began to haul on the line. 

The Pioneer moved slowly toward shore, and the next instant the strainreached Clay. It was concentrated in the right place, too, and after acouple of refractory tugs, as though the whirlpool was loath tosurrender its victim, the Neptune headed about and slowly followed thePioneer. 

This was, if possible, a more exciting moment than any that had precededit. So much depended on the two lines. If either broke disaster wouldfollow. 

But the cords did their duty nobly, and soon Clay was beyond theswirling circles. A few seconds later the Pioneer touched shore, andthen three willing pairs of hands dragged the Neptune in so forciblythat a great wave rolled before the bow. 

The boys had to help Clay out and prop him against a tree; and fornearly five minutes he sat there so white and helpless that they fearedhe would faint. A drink of water seemed to revive him some, and finallythe color came back to his cheeks. 

"I'm all right now, " he said, as he got up and walked a few steps. "Fora little while I felt like keeling over, and no wonder, after what Iwent through out there. "

"It was a close call, " asserted Ned. "Nugget didn't remember about thatline a minute too soon. The credit of your rescue belongs to him. "

"No it doesn't, " said Nugget bashfully. "You did the work. "

Clay looked from one to the other, and then held out his hand to Nugget. 

"It was your outline and your suggestion, " he said in a low voice. "Yousaved my life. Will you forgive me, old fellow? I put that snake in yourcanoe this morning, and am awfully sorry I did it. "

Nugget hesitated an instant. Then he blushingly accepted the profferedhand and said:

"We'll let the matter drop, Clay. I know you won't do anything like thatagain. "

"No, I won't, " replied Clay earnestly. "I'm done with practical jokes. It was only a garter snake, though I caught it with a forked stick. "

Ned and Randy had been at first inclined to pitch into Clay, but seeingthat he was sincerely repentant they wisely concluded to ignore hisfault, hoping that the lesson would really prove beneficial, and curehim of the fondness for playing tricks. 

After a light lunch the Jolly Rovers started off again. They wereanxious to get as far as possible from the whirlpool. During the earlypart of the afternoon they paddled and drifted by turns, for Clay wasstill a little weak from his experience. 

Between three and four o'clock a bend of the creek brought into view anold wooden bridge. The piers were mossy and crumbling to ruins, and theroof and sides had been guiltless of paint for many a long year. 

Just below the bridge the Creek widened to a kind of pool. At the footof a ledge of rocks on the left shore sat three men holding long fishingpoles. Their attention seemed to be given to a fourth man, who wassitting in a boat near by, talking earnestly, and pointing from time totime out on the creek. 

A spring was visible a little above the fishermen, and as the boyshappened to be thirsty they paddled over to it. 

The canoes immediately became objects of interest, and a friendlyconversation was started. 

The man in the boat stepped out, and picked up Randy's gun. 

"That's a purty nice weapon, " he observed in a mournful voice. "It ain'tunlike the one I lost, only mine was longer, and a leetle bit lighter. It was a muzzle loader, though, and this is one of them new fangledkind. "

"How did you lose yours?" inquired Randy. 

"It sunk out there, " replied the man, pointing toward mid-channel. "Iwas driftin' along when I seen a muskrat in the reeds on t'other shore. I stood up to reach the gun, an' just as I got holt of it my footslipped on a wet board, an' down I come. The weapon went overboard, an'that was the end of it. It riles me bad, 'cause that gun belonged to myold daddy. "

"When did this happen?" asked Randy. 

"'Bout half an hour ago; anyway not much mor'n that. "

"But the gun surely isn't lost for good. Why don't you dive after it?"

The man thrust his hands into his pockets and stared blankly at Randy. The three fishermen smiled and nudged each other. 

"Why don't you dive after it?" repeated Randy. "If you can tell me theexact location I'll get it for you. "

"You will, will you?" exclaimed the man impressively. "Waal, I reckonyou'd have a stiff contract. Did you fellows never hear of Rudy's Hole?Thar it lies right in front of you, and there ain't no bottom to it. "

"Hold on, Mose Hocker, " exclaimed one of the fishermen. "There must bebottom somewheres, of course, but it's mighty far down. "

The boys looked at one another incredulously and smiled. The idea of abottomless hole in the Conodoguinet was ridiculous. 

At that moment an old man with bent back and white hair hobbled downthe path from the road above, leaning heavily on his cane, which was hisconstant companion. 

"Good afternoon, Daddy Perkiss, " exclaimed Mose Hocker. "I'm glad youcome along. I lost my gun out in the Hole a while ago, and this chaphere offers to dive arter it. You've lived around these parts nigh ontoeighty years. Tell him how fur down he'll have to go to reach thatweapon. "

"Ho! Ho!" cackled Daddy Perkiss, as he tremblingly sat down on a driftlog, "the lad wants to dive in Rudy's Hole, does he? Well, let him try, let him try. "

The old man was silent for a moment, and his bleary eyes had a far awayexpression as though they were looking into the dim past. 

"It be sixty years since Jonas Rudy were drowned out here, " he mumbledin a shrill voice, "an they ain't found the body to this day. I wereaway at the time, drivin' a teamster's wagon to Pittsburg, but I mindhearin' the story when I come home. Many a time I've heard tell how theytried to find bottom the next spring after Jonas was drowned. 

"Mike Berry, the blacksmith over at Four Corners, brought his anvil, an'the men made the women folks give up their clotheslines. Then they wentout on the hole in the old ferryboat, and let down the anvil. There wastwo hundred feet of line in all, an' when half of it were out the menlost their grip. The rest went like greased lightnin', an' the end gotcoiled around Mike Berry's yaller dog, an' took it along. The poorbeast never came up again. "

Daddy Perkiss paused for sheer want of breath, and looked around to notethe effect of his story. 

"That yarn was started years ago, " whispered Mose Hocker, coming closeup to the boys, "an' Daddy has told it so many times that he believesevery word. I reckon the most of it's true though. It would take more'none clothesline to reach bottom out here. "

"But has the place never been sounded?" asked Ned. "Have you never triedit yourself?"

Mose Hocker shook his head vigorously. "What would be the use?" hereplied. "Nobody doubts it. Why, Rudy's Hole is known an' dreaded formiles around. "

Evidently regarding this argument as a clincher he turned aside, andbegan to talk to Daddy Perkiss. 

About this time Randy was doing a good deal of thinking. He had listenedwith incredulous interest to the old man's narrative, and knowing howprone country folk are to accept any fanciful story--especially a longstanding tradition--without ever attempting to verify it, the convictionhad forced itself upon his mind that Rudy's Hole was a myth--in otherwords that its depth was nothing extraordinary. 

Randy was a good swimmer, but a far better diver. He was long winded, and his staying qualities under water had always been a source ofadmiration and envy to his companions. 

It now occurred to him, with irresistible fascination, what a finething it would be to recover Mose Hooker's gun, and show these peoplewhat a delusion they had been laboring under all their lives. 

It took Randy but a short time to make up his mind, and walking over toMose Hocker, he asked abruptly: "Could you tell me just where your gunfell in?"

"I reckon I could if there was any need of it, " was the drawling reply. "I happened to notice my bearings at the time. I was straight down fromthat rock out there, and straight out from the big button wood tree onyonder shore--right over the deepest part of the Hole. "

"All right!" said Randy quietly. "Now if you will lend me your boat forabout ten minutes I think I can restore you your gun. "

CHAPTER XVI

A SHATTERED DELUSION

The burst of derisive laughter that greeted his proposition in no waydisconcerted Randy. He waited quietly until it was over, and thenrepeated his request. 

"Ho! ho!" cackled Daddy Perkiss; "is the lad tired of livin', or kin hebreathe under water like a fish?"

"He's a stout hearted chap, " cried Mose Hocker, "and sense his mind'sbent on takin' a good long dive I reckon he kin have the boat. Thereain't no undercurrent out there as I know of, so he ain't likely to cometo harm, and besides I'm mighty anxious to git my gun back. "

Here Mr. Hocker winked slyly at Daddy Perkiss and the fishermen. 

The old man failed to appreciate the joke. 

"It's temptin' Providence, " he cried shrilly, pounding his cane on thebeach. "If you ever sees that weapon agin, Mose Hocker, I'll give youten pounds of the best plug terbacker that Bill Smith has in his store. "

"That's a bargain, " exclaimed Mose. "You fellows can testify to what hesaid. "

Then turning to Randy he added with a laugh, "Don't fail me now, lad. Ten pounds of terbacker ain't picked up every day. "

"Just give me a fair show and I'll astonish you all before long, "replied Randy, moving toward the boat. "Ned, will you go with me?" headded. 

Ned willingly agreed, much to the amazement of Clay and Nugget, whoexpected him to oppose Randy's project with all his might. The truth ofthe matter was that Ned, being a sensible fellow, shared Randy's view, and was rather anxious to see the tables turned on the credulousrustics. 

He was satisfied from the smooth and sluggish appearance of the waterthat a dive would not be attended with danger. 

In some unaccountable manner the news seemed to have spread through theneighborhood, and when Ned and Randy embarked, the crowd had beenaugmented by three men and two bare-footed urchins. A wagon containingtwo farmers had stopped at the entrance of the bridge, and the occupantswere tying the horse preparatory to coming down. 

Mose Hocker's boat was a large, heavy craft, built on the order of abateau, and was admirably adapted to Randy's purpose. The boys paddledup stream a little until they were directly below the rock Hocker haddesignated. Then, while the boat drifted down with a barely perceptiblemotion, Randy hastily undressed. 

"It's a pity we didn't bring a fishing line along, " observed Ned. "Icould ascertain the depth for you in a minute. "

"We don't need it, " replied Randy. "I was never in better wind than I amnow. If there's a bottom at all I'll find it. "

The boat was now one hundred feet below the rock, and a stroke or two ofNed's paddle put it in line with the big buttonwood tree on the rightshore. 

"This is just about the exact spot, " said Randy, surveying with acritical eye the rock and then the tree. "Hold the boat steady, Ned. I'll be ready in a second or two. "

This was not a difficult task, for the water was as smooth as a millpond and almost as motionless. 

Clay and Nugget had by this time paddled out in their canoes to witnessoperations, and the little group on the shore were waiting in breathlesssilence. 

Randy was prepared now, and suddenly he mounted the broad stern seat, and stood on the outer edge. 

An audible murmur came from the shore, and Daddy Perkiss mumbledshrilly: "They're right over the middle of the Hole. "

"Paddle down a little, " said Randy in a quiet tone to Clay and Nugget. "You obstruct the view. Still in the right location, are we?" heinquired of Ned. 

"Yes, as near as possible, " was the reply. "Be careful, old fellow!"

Randy smiled and glanced at the expectant crowd on the shore. Then hedrew a long breath, pressed his hands together and dived gracefully intothe cloudy blue water. It was done so quickly and cleverly that no loudsplash followed, nor was the boat violently shaken. 

As the seconds passed on not the least sound broke the stillness; everyeye was fixed on the spot where the lad had disappeared, and every heartwas beating tumultuously. 

The seconds grew almost to a minute, and still the smooth surfaceremained unbroken. Ned's hand trembled as he kept the boat in position, and Clay and Nugget exchanged frightened glances. 

"I knew it, " cried Daddy Perkiss in a cracked voice. "That lad willnever be seen again. He's gone down to meet Jonas Rudy. "

This ill boding prophecy had scarcely left the old man's lips, whenRandy shot into view a few feet to the left of where he had disappeared. Half a dozen strokes brought him to the boat, and with Ned's assistancehe scrambled over the side. 

His hands were empty. 

A burst of laughter came from shore, and Daddy Perkiss criedtriumphantly: "Where's the gun, lad? Did you find bottom?"

Randy only waved his hand in reply. He was panting a little for breath, but his face wore a very peculiar smile--a smile that quite baffled thethree eager boys. 

"What luck?" queried Ned excitedly. "How far down were you? Did you findanything?"

"You will know before long, " replied Randy with aggravating calmness. "Keep the boat in the same place, Ned. One more stroke. There, that'sit Here goes for another. "

He quickly mounted the seat again, and drew in his breath. 

"Hold on, young fellar, " cried Mose Hocker in a loud voice, "Don't riskyour life a second time. I kin stand the loss of that terbacker. "

Randy laughed, waved his hand, and went under head foremost. 

The suspense was now greater than on the previous occasion. Ned began tocount, and when the half minute expired his face grew pale. 

Thirty-five--forty--three-quarters of a minute! No sign of the recklessdiver. Had some undercurrent dragged him far down in those blue depths?

When the forty-ninth second had expired a loud murmur rose from thepeople on shore, and just a second later it changed to a deafening burstof applause as Randy shot above the surface holding in his righthand--_Mose Hacker's gun_. 

His face was fairly purple for want of breath, and he had scarcelyenough strength to gain the side of the boat. He threw the gun overfirst and then, with Ned's aid, rolled into the bottom, where he lay fora moment, panting for breath. 

Cheer after cheer came from shore, and the boys joined in heartily. Randy was all right in a moment, and as Ned paddled across the creek, hehurriedly pulled on his clothes. 

When the boat landed by the rocks such a scene ensued as no pen candescribe. The men crowded about Randy with eager congratulations, andfairly pumped his arms off. 

Mose Hocker snatched the gun and waved it triumphantly before DaddyPerkiss. 

"What do you think of that?" he cried. "The lad brought it clean up fromthe bottom of Rudy's hole. I'll take that ten pounds of terbacker, Daddy, as soon as you please. "

"Shoo, now! thar's some trick about the thing, " mumbled the old manpetulantly. "You can't make me believe that Rudy's Hole ain't two orthree hundred feet deep. "

"But here's the gun to prove it, " said Mose, "an' we all saw the ladbring it up. Let him speak for himself, and say whether he touchedbottom or not. "

"Of course I touched bottom, " returned Randy with a slight shiver at therecollection. "It was the biggest dive I ever made. The water must befifteen or twenty feet deep. It's not any more than that, though. Ithought I'd never come to the top the second time. I was just ready toburst when I found the gun, and the weight of it kept me from coming uprapidly. "

Daddy heard the lad through, and then, with a contemptuous sniff, herose and hobbled up the path. 

"Don't forgit the terbacker, " Mose Hocker shouted after him. 

The old man made no reply, and was soon out of sight. 

"It's a hard blow for Daddy, " said one of the fishermen, "an' the samein fact fur all of us, I reckon. I've been brung up from a lad in thefull belief that Rudy's Hole were well nigh bottomless. "

"And I, " "and I, " cried half a dozen voices. 

"It will be most amazin' news to the whole community, " said Mose Hocker, "an' mebbe it'll teach folks to investigate things. I'm kinder sorry forDaddy Perkiss. It was his chief delight to tell that story to everystranger what come along, an' now he won't dare to open his lips aboutRudy's Hole. When I get the terbacker I'll give you fellows a plugapiece. "

Three or four of the men laughed at this, as though they had theirdoubts on the subject. 

"Oh, I'll keep Daddy to his word, " resumed Mose. "He kin easily affordit. " Then turning to the boys he said abruptly, "I want you boys to comedown the creek and spend the night at my place. I'll try to treat youwell. The recovery of that gun means a good deal to me, and I want to dowhat I kin in return. "

Several other invitations of a similiar nature were extended to theJolly Rovers, but they accepted Mose Mocker's without hesitation. A fewmoments later they paddled down the creek, cheered loudly by theadmiring spectators. 

CHAPTER XVII

THE STORM BREAKS

The Jolly Rovers were agreeably surprised when they reached MoseHocker's "place. " Instead of the farmhouse, which they had confidentlyexpected, it proved to be a snug little cabin standing in a dense bit ofwoods along the creek, and distant from Rudy's Hole about one mile. 

Mose was a tall, wiry, middle aged man, with a smooth shaven face. 

"I've always been fond of hunting and fishing, " he explained to theboys, "an' about two year ago I built this place, an' moved in. Itstands on my own land. I have a farm back yonder, but after my wife diedI put a tenant on my property. The life didn't agree with me, somehow orother. "

"I reckon I've got a streak of my daddy's wild blood. He was a greathunter in his day, and that's why I prize this gun so much. It was madein London by John Armstrong in 1874--so that silver plate on the breechsays--and if it is old fashioned it kin shoot. You chaps ought to behere in the fall when the ducks and geese are moving--I'd show you somesport. "

Mr. Hocker proved himself a delightful host. His cabin was crammed fullof curious contrivances for catching fish and trapping game, the varioususes of which he took delight in explaining to the boys. He was an adeptat cooking--as the bountiful evening meal proved--and he possessed afund of adventurous stories that made the hours pass quickly untilbedtime. 

He spread blankets and pillows on the floor for his guests, and afterthe wearisome events of the day they slept soundly until dawn. 

A plunge in the creek was first in order, and then came a warmbreakfast. An hour later, with many sincere expressions of regret atparting, the Jolly Rovers resumed their cruise. Mr. Hocker pressed themto stay a couple of days, but they deemed it best to push on, since theywere yet many miles from home. 

Little did they think as they paddled away from the cabin, that they andtheir friendly host would meet again under far different circumstancesin the near future. 

All that day--which was Wednesday--the boys paddled steadily. Theycamped in the evening at the water works dam, one mile out fromCarlisle, and while Clay and Randy prepared supper, Ned and Nugget wentto town for mail. Fortunately they visited the express office as well, and found a cake there addressed to Randy. They brought it triumphantlyback to camp--a straight road precluded the possibility of losing theway on this occasion--and had a glorious feast before going to bed. 

Thursday was a repetition of the previous day. Nothing occurred worthyof special mention. The boys covered ten or fifteen miles in spite ofthe dams that frequently blocked the way. 

About four o'clock in the afternoon, while passing through a lonely andbeautiful strip of country, they came upon five tiny islands groupedtogether in mid channel. The largest was not more than a dozen yardslong. All were grassy and shaded by trees, and they made a prettypicture with the water rippling softly through the narrow windingchannels that separated them. 

As the bushes and timber on both banks of the creek were very dense, theboys chose one of the islands for a camping place--the left hand one oftwo that lay a little farther down stream than the others. It was two orthree feet above the surface of the creek, level and grassy on top, andcontained seven or eight good sized trees. 

The largest of these--a massive buttonwood--stood at the extreme lowerend, and its whitened, far stretching roots had been laid bare by thecurrent that came sweeping down each side, formed a shallow swirlingeddy. 

Here the boys landed, and seeing that the steepness of the bank wouldmake it a difficult task to carry the canoes up--if indeed there wasroom to spare above--they tied them in a bunch to the roots of thetree. Then stripping off their shoes and stockings, they waded about inthe shallow water unloading what articles they wanted, and carrying themup on the bank. 

The tent was staked in the center of the island, and the boys did notdiscover, until too late, that the entrance faced up stream. 

"Let it go, " said Ned. "It's a little unhandy for the canoes, that'sall. We must be careful not to trip over the ropes, though. "

There was another reason why the tent should have faced the oppositeway. It was exposed, in its present position, to any storm that mightcome up from the west. 

But this did not occur to the boys, and very naturally, since the skywas cloudless and the air but moderately warm. It had not been such aday as usually brews July thunderstorms. 

After considerable searching, two stones suitable for the fireplace werefound in the eddy. There was an utter lack of fuel on the island, so Nedand Randy paddled to shore and loaded their canoes with driftwood. 

Two weeks of camp life had now familiarized each lad with the dutiesthat were assigned to him, and by working in unison supper was soonprepared. 

The boys lingered over the meal a good while, and it was quite dark whenthe dishes were washed and put away. 

At nine o'clock all were sleeping soundly behind the tightly drawn tentflaps, and the fire was mingling its red flashes with the moonlight glowon the rippling surface of the creek. 

Ten o'clock came--eleven--twelve. Not a breath of air was stirring; adead, oppressive calm, like the sultriness of noonday, had settled downon land and water. Half an hour later the west was inky black withmassed storm clouds and fleecy forerunners of the coming tempest werestraying one after another across the moon. 

All unconscious of impending danger the boys slept peacefully, nor didthey awake until the storm was upon them in all its fury. Dazed andterrified they crouched close together, watching the jagged purpleflashes that turned night into noonday, listening to the furious patterof the rain and the crashing of thunder, and shivering where the oozingdrops fell in their faces from the saturated canvas. 

Streams of water were trickling across the ground, and the tent wastugging, like a thing of life, to free itself from the iron stakes. 

Ned groped about until he found the lantern, and with great difficultyhe lit it. Nugget was trembling like a leaf, but the others were, sofar, more disgusted than frightened. A possible ducking, and the loss ofa night's sleep, was the most they dreaded. 

But soon the presence of a real and actual danger made itself known. Thewind rose to such a point of violence that it was little short of ahurricane. Trees began to go down here and there, and the passage ofthe gale through the forest on each shore was like the whirring flightof myriads of quail. 

The tent was slightly protected by the timber on the upper point of theisland; otherwise it must have yielded to the first onslaught of thestorm. 

"This is terrible, " whispered Ned. "If it grows any worse I'm afraid wewill fare badly. The tent is strained to its utmost now. "

"Even the iron stakes won't hold it if the wind gets through the flaps, "said Randy in a dismal tone. 

They were silent for a moment, listening to the increasing fury of thegale. 

"Oh! this is awful, " wailed Nugget. "The water is running down my neck, and I'm sitting in a big puddle. It's coming in all around me. "

"You ought to be thankful you're not sitting in the open air, " mutteredClay. "That may be the next thing. "

At Ned's suggestion--which, strange to say, had not occurred to any onebefore--the boys overhauled their clothing bags and put on their rubbercoats. Each was provided with one of those useful articles. 

As they sat about the flickering flame of the lantern a more furiousgust than any that had preceded came shrieking down the creek. In themidst of its passage a great crash was heard, so loud and so near thatthe very ground seems to tremble. 

The boys could not repress a cry of terror. A tree had fallen close by, and they dreaded lest another would crush the tent. 

"Gracious! what if that was the big buttonwood!" cried Randy. "Ourcanoes--"

His agitated face finished the sentence more plainly than words couldhave done. 

Ned rose, pulling his coat close about him, and seized the lantern. 

"I must see about that, " he said hoarsely. "Stay right here. I will beback in a moment. "

Before the others could utter a word of protest, he lifted the rear endof the canvas half a foot, and, with lantern in hand, squirmed throughlike a snake, leaving the tent in utter darkness. 

CHAPTER XVIII

AT THE MERCY OF THE TEMPEST

The wind was so violent that Ned dared not stand erect. He crossed onhands and knees the brief stretch that separated the tent from the lowerend of the island. 

The buttonwood was still standing--much to his relief--and the canoeswere so far uninjured, though the gale was knocking them together prettyforcibly. 

Bracing himself against the buttonwood, Ned turned the lantern in alldirections, and soon discovered the tree which had caused such alarm byits fall. It lay prostrate on the other island, but as a channel barelyhalf a dozen yards wide separated the two, it was not surprising thatthe crash should have sounded very near. 

The storm still raged with unabated fury. The lightning playedincessantly over the heavens, and the thunder was continuous. 

Ned took advantage of a lull in the wind to start on his return, but hehad scarcely left the tree when the lantern slipped from his hand, andwas extinguished by the fall. He found it after a short search, and ashe could see plainly enough without a light, he pushed on toward thetent, bending his body forward to escape the cutting rain. 

A sudden fierce blast of wind compelled him to crouch close to theground, and just as he rose a jagged flash of lightning turned theblackness into a purple glare. Ned's eyes happened to be resting on thechannel between the two islands, and in that brief instant of light hesaw a boat gliding swiftly down the current, cutting gracefully throughthe great waves that rose to meet it. 

On the rear seat, paddle in hand, sat a man. A dark slouch hat, pulledfar down, concealed his features. He seemed perfectly at home, and in nowise discomfited by the storm that was raging around him. 

As the vivid light faded away Ned ran back to the buttonwood tree, andwatched the blurred shape of the boat as it came down the channel. Hebreathed a sigh of relief when it passed out from the islands andcontinued on through the gloom, for his first thought had been that somedanger menaced the camp. 

Why a man should voluntarily expose himself to such a pitiless storm, and at such an hour of the night, was a mystery too deep for Ned'scomprehension. It was certain, at all events, that the stranger wasabroad for no good purpose. 

Either his errand was in no wise connected with the Jolly Rovers, orelse he had passed close by the tent without seeing it--even when theflash of lightning made the night as bright as noonday. 

Ned waited beside the buttonwood tree until another flash gave him abrief glimpse of the boat far below the island. Then he hurried back tothe tent and crawled under the rear end. The boys immediately besiegedhim with questions, and their anxiety was quickly allayed. 

"The canoes are safe, " said Ned, as he relighted the lantern. "The treethat fell was on the other island. I don't think the storm can last muchlonger, I believe the wind is subsiding a little now. "

He was about to tell them of the strange boat and its occupant that hadpassed down the channel, when a terrific blast checked the words on hislips. The tent swayed to and fro, and just at this critical moment oneof the front flaps tore free of the strings that held it to the pole. 

The gale instantly swept under the canvas, lifted the tent bodily, andwhirled it through the air, leaving the amazed boys exposed to thedriving rain. 

Ned snatched the lantern and ran down the island. The others followedhim, and when they reached the buttonwood tree they saw the tentfloating limply on the waves twenty feet beyond the canoes. 

"We must recover it at all hazards, " cried Ned hoarsely. "Our cruise isruined if we don't. Who will go with me?"

"I will, " replied Randy. 

"And I, " added Clay. 

"One is enough, " said Ned. "I'll take Randy. If the wind prevents usfrom getting back don't you fellows be alarmed. Keep out of the rain asmuch as possible, and if your clothes get wet put on dry ones. "

There was no time to lose, for the tent had drifted into the fiercecurrent below the island, and was already out of sight. There was greatdanger of its sinking as soon as the canvas became thoroughly soaked. 

Hastily untying their canoes from the roots of the tree, Ned and Randypaddled away in the darkness, leaving Clay and Nugget to make the bestof their desertion. 

It was a bad night to be on the water. The storm was still raging, andthe surface of the creek was lashed with great foamy billows. The boysdid not find the tent immediately. 

In fact the wind and the current together drove them a quarter of a miledown stream before they could control their canoes sufficiently to headthem around. And even when they accomplished this they found it out ofthe question to return. Not one inch could they gain in the teeth of theblast, though they paddled hard and fast. 

Fortunately the canoes were empty, and this rendered them safe andbuoyant, so that they rose lightly on the crest of every wave. Theywould surely have swamped had the usual loads been in the hatches. 

"We stand a poor show of getting back to the island this night, " criedRandy in a loud enough tone for his companion to hear. "I'll besatisfied if we find the tent. Do you think it is still afloat?"

With a half a dozen desperate strokes Ned then brought the Pioneeralongside the Water Sprite. 

"I don't know, " he replied. "If the tent is still on the surface it musthave drifted pretty near by this time. We've been trying to force ourway up stream for nearly ten minutes. Keep a sharp lookout on your side, Randy, and I'll do the same on mine. "

This was by no means an easy matter. It was difficult to see with anyclearness at a distance of ten yards, and though Ned still had thelighted lantern in his cockpit, it was impossible to make use of it andto paddle at the same time. 

For a few moments longer the boys continued the futile struggle with thewind and current. The rain was still falling in torrents, but theirrubber coats kept them fairly dry, and the canvas aprons buttonedtightly over the cockpits, prevented the canoes from filling. 

At last, when both lads were quite in despair, a flash of lightningrevealed the tent a few yards to the left, rising and falling with thewaves. 

When the difficult operation of turning the canoes down stream wassafely performed, the tent was some yards away. It was still dimlyvisible and the boys soon caught up with it. 

It threatened at first to be a sort of white elephant on their hands, for the three poles were still in position, and the canvas washopelessly tangled about them. 

Had the boys been in a boat their task would have been comparativelyeasy. As it was they had to be very cautious for fear of upsetting. 

Finally, by getting the unwieldy mass between them and employing theirpaddles instead of hands they succeeded in dragging a portion of it uponthe fore deck of each canoe. The center still sagged in the water, butit was impossible to make any better arrangement. 

"Paddle very carefully now, " was Ned's caution. "We will run into shoreat the first opportunity, and if the storm abates one of us can go upfor Clay and Nugget. The island can't be more than half a mile away. "

This project, simple as it sounded, was quite impracticable at thepresent time. The wind had fallen some, but the waves were still soviolent that the only safety for the heavily encumbered canoes lay inkeeping parallel with the current. A flank movement toward shore wouldhave brought speedy disaster. 

The boys realized this and stuck to mid-channel. The continued speed ofthe current mystified them considerably, and they were quite at a lostto account for it until Ned raised the lantern, and turned it on thesurface of the creek. 

"Good gracious!" he cried. "The water is yellow with mud. The creek isrising. No wonder it runs like a mill race. This same storm must havedeluged the upper end of the valley before it reached here. "

Proof of Ned's assertion was not wanting, for that instant the canoesrustled through the protruding grass of a submerged island. 

The water Sprite stuck fast on what was probably the crest, and thePioneer instantly swung around with the current, shaking off the foldsof the tent. 

Randy turned sideways to see how his companion was faring, and his facesuddenly blanched. 

"Look! look! Ned, " he cried in a hoarse, frightened voice. "What isthat?"

Randy's alarming cry was called forth by the discovery of a long duskyobject that was bearing rapidly down upon the canoes. 

The same chilling fear entered the hearts of both lads they watched itsnoiseless approach. They believed it to be an upturned canoe--a messagefraught with tidings of disaster. 

CHAPTER XIX

ADRIFT ON A LOG

An instant later the shadowy object assumed the unmistakable form of ahuge drift log, and before Ned could realize his peril or deal a singlepaddle stroke, the current whirled the heavy mass upon him, and theblunt end pounded broadside into the Pioneer. The canoe was bowled overlike a tenpin, and Ned went head first into the yellow flood. He came tothe surface a dozen feet below, and when he found he was out of hisdepth he made a valiant effort to swim up to Randy, who was fightinghard to drive the Water Sprite off the island, so that he might hastento his friend's rescue. 

Half a dozen strokes convinced Ned of the utter futility of breastingsuch a current. As he ceased struggling, and allowed himself to drift atwill, he saw the log bearing down upon him. It had swung clear aroundafter capsizing the canoe, and was shooting along at a rapid pace, asthough to make up for lost time. 

With scarcely an instant's deliberation Ned decided what to do. Hiscanoe was floating toward him from above, but being still broadside tothe current, its movements were painfully slow. 

Moreover, it offered doubtful security in its inverted position, and waslikely to sink if any weight was put upon it. 

A few vigorous strokes brought Ned alongside the drifting log as itswung past him. He straddled it a little beyond the middle, holding onwith both hands. 

It sank a little with his weight, causing the front end to tip upwards, but his head and shoulders were clear out of water. Turning cautiouslyaround, he saw to his dismay that Randy was still aground on the island. 

"Push off as soon as you can, " he shouted. "Overtake my canoe and paddlefor the left bank. I'm safe for the present, and will try to reachland. "

"All right!" came the reply an instant later. "I'll do my best. "

The words had a vague, far away sound, for already the distance hadwidened considerably. The log went swiftly on its course, headingstraight through mid-channel, and leaping and plunging in the turbidwater. 

Ned clung to it with might and main. He was not a little worried by hisstrange and perilous position. The yellow flood stretching on all sidesof him was a terrifying sight. 

The thunder and lightning had almost entirely ceased, and the wind hadfallen, leaving the creek as smooth as a millpond; but the rain stillpoured with a steady persistency that threatened a long continuance. 

Ned did not mind this much. The air and the water were both warm, and hefelt fairly comfortable. 

He was more concerned for his companions than for himself. It would be adifficult matter, he reflected, for Randy to manage the two canoes andthe tent. 

He wondered how Clay and Nugget were faring--whether they still remainedon the island, or had ventured to embark in search of their companions, now that the violence of the storm was past. 

Meanwhile Ned was not oblivious to his own danger. While these thingswere passing through his mind, he was striving to guide the log towardshore by paddling with his left hand and leg. At first he seemed to makeno progress. 

The current was running swift, and the log remained obstinately inmid-channel. The flood was rising, too. Plain proof of it was seen inthe _débris_ that floated on all sides--patches of grass and bushes, broken limbs, and here and there a fence rail. 

The sky was still overcast with dark clouds, and the gloom behind himshowed Ned no trace of Randy or the canoes. He worked harder and harderto gain the shore, and finally he discovered to his great delight thathe was getting the log under control. 

It steadily pursued a diagonal course, veering constantly nearer to theleft shore. Occasionally a swirl of the current pitched it towardmidstream, but a little perseverance put it right again. 

The scene of Ned's capsize was now a good mile in the rear, and he wassatisfied that he would reach the bank in a short time--unless someunforseen event occurred. 

This was exactly what destiny had in store for the lad. A moment later asharp bend--unseen until too late--cast the log in the very center ofthe creek, and while the sting of this misfortune was still fresh, Nedheard a dull booming noise--the certain herald of either rapids or adam. The sound, though not loud, came from no great distance. 

Its subdued tone showed that if rapids were ahead, they were not verybad ones; if a dam, that it could not be high, else the falling waterwould make a greater noise. 

But Ned had no desire to tempt his fate in either. With what strengthwas left in his numbed limbs he tried hard to drive the log shoreward. 

Had a little more time been granted him he might have succeeded, but theruthless current swept him on with unceasing speed, and when the log wasstill fifty feet from the left bank he saw the smooth stretch of waterbefore him merge into a seething line of turbulent waves and tawny foam. 

The rude outline of a mill suddenly appeared on the left, provingconclusively the existence of a dam. 

All hope of reaching the shore was gone now. It was some slightconsolation to know that the dam was not a high one, and Ned boldlyfaced the ordeal by swinging the log around until it pointed straight tothe line of foam. Then he hugged it closely to him and waited. 

The suspense was brief. One swift rush to the brink, a quick slide downa glistening slant of water--and then a headlong plunge into theseething waves. 

The log rushed on nobly, now under the billows, now high on their crestuntil it struck a rock endwise, and turned broadside in the twinkling ofan eye. Ned parted company with it then and there--he couldn't helpit--and struggled on alone. He was in comparatively shallow water now, and though the force of the current and the waves was terrific, hefinally gained a foothold on the slippery rocks, and waded waist deeptoward shore. 

The water soon shallowed, and with a grateful heart he staggered out ona stony beach. 

He sat down for a moment to recover from his exertions, and then went upthe slope to the building, which was only a few yards away. It proved tobe a saw mill, and even in the somber gloom Ned could see that it wasvery ancient and rickety, and had probably not been in use for manyyears. 

The locality was a wild and lonely one. Steep wooded hills lay on bothsides of the creek. 

Further investigation showed Ned that the saw mill abutted on the cornerof the dam, and that a narrow sluiceway conducted the water to themachinery. He could hear the splash and gurgle of the torrent as itswept under the rotting timbers of the mill and rushed on to freedomthrough the wasteway beyond. 

As the depth of the latter was uncertain Ned crossed the sluice by ashaky plank that spanned the sides, and found himself among thickbushes at the foot of a steep hill. He was tempted to go back and seekshelter in the mill, for his limbs ached with weariness, and his wetclothes chilled him at every step. 

But first it was important that Randy should be found, so he pushedalong the edge of the creek in the rain until he obtained an open viewof the channel for some distance ahead. 

The first glimpse rewarded him for his pains. He spied a bulky darkobject about fifty yards up stream. It was approaching at a rapid paceand hugging the shore closely. 

Ned put two fingers in his mouth and emitted a shrill, piercing whistle. It was answered in a similar manner, and a moment later the dark massresolved itself into Randy, the tent, and the two canoes. 

"By jove, I'm glad to see you, " exclaimed Randy in husky tones, as Nedhelped him to land. "I thought you were a goner this time, old fellow. "

Ned hastily related his experience. 

"It was a close shave, " he concluded; "too close to be pleasant. But howdid you manage to get here with this heavy load?"

Randy laughed. "I had a time of it, I can tell you. I jumped out in thewater--it was only knee deep on that island--and dragged the whole tenton the foredeck of my canoe. Then I paddled after the Pioneer, andcaught up with it near another submerged bar, where both the canoesstuck again. 

"This gave me a chance to right the Pioneer and throw most of the waterout of it. Then I slung the tent across both of them, tied the cockpitstogether, and started off. Of course I could only paddle on the rightside, but I got along fairly well. The best of it is that I found yourpaddle on the way down. The lantern is gone, but I have a candle here, if we need it. It was in the pocket of my rubber coat. "

"That's exactly what we _do_ need, " replied Ned. "It will help us tofind some dry wood in the mill. But first of all we must drag the canoesand the tent on shore. "

This proved a difficult task, but it was finally accomplished. Thecanoes were turned bottom up, and the tent was stretched over a clump ofbushes. Then Ned led the way down stream to the saw mill. 

CHAPTER XX

MR. DUDE MOXLEY

When the boys reached the corner of the dam Ned produced his waterproofmatch box and lighted the candle. This enabled them to cross thesluiceway in safety, and after noting with some alarm that the creek wasstill coming up rapidly, they entered the saw mill at the upper end, where the floor was level with the breast work of the dam--or rather afew feet above it. 

The lower end was twelve or fifteen feet higher than the wasteway, andwas supported by an open network of huge beams. 

With the greatest caution the boys scrutinized their surroundings. Thefirst floor contained nothing but _débris_--heaps of sawdust, strips ofbark, and a few partially sawed logs. The machinery had all beenremoved. 

There was great danger of falling through into the swirling torrentbeneath, for in several places the flooring lacked entire planks, andthose that remained were loose and rotten. 

The light of the candle revealed a rickety flight of steps in the upperright hand corner, and without hesitation the boys mounted to thesecond floor. This apartment was in remarkably good condition. Not adrop of rain had penetrated through the roof or sides. 

The floor was strewn with sawdust and shavings. A carpenter's benchstood on each side, and in the center was a huge old-fashioned sheetiron stove, with a pipe running straight to the roof. The room waslighted by three windows--one at each end, and one on the side facingthe creek. 

"This is what I call luck, " exclaimed Ned. "A stove ready and waitingfor us, and fuel lying about in plenty! We won't have to endure our wetclothes long. "

"The owner may object to our taking possession, though, " said Randy. "Wedon't want to get in any more scrapes. "

"No one but a crusty old brute would refuse to let us dry ourselves, "replied Ned. "And besides, I don't believe the owner lives anywherewithin a mile. He probably uses this work room in winter--when there ishardly any farm work to do--and doesn't come near it in summer. Thereason I think so is because the tools have all been taken away. "

Ned's supposition was probably correct. At all events the boys did notscruple to make a blazing fire in the stove, and very pleasant thewarmth felt after their long tussle with the storm. 

Ned was soaked through and through in spite of his rubber coat, butRandy was only wet to the middle. They stood as near as possible to thestove, and so powerful was the heat of the wood fire, that in half anhour their clothes were entirely dry. 

It was rather a risky undertaking, but both lads were hardy and vigorousand had no fear of taking cold. 

As the fire burnt itself out the pale light of day shone through thewindows. Friday morning had dawned. 

"Still raining a little, " said Ned, "and the sky is cloudy. We muststart up the creek without delay now. My mind will feel a good dealeasier when I know that Clay and Nugget are safe. They must be feelingpretty wretched if they stayed on the island all night in the rain. "

"I don't think they would venture to leave after the directions you gavethem, " returned Randy. "Unless the island became flooded. I neverthought of that before. "

Ned walked quickly to the side window and looked out. 

"The water is still on the rise, " he said gloomily. "It is backing intothe wasteway and crawling up the slope toward the mill. You can hardlysee anything of the dam. To tell the truth, Randy, I believe the creekis quite high enough to cover that island. "

Randy turned pale. 

"What has become of the boys then?" he asked. "Could they have passeddown the creek while we were drying ourselves?"

"Hardly, " said Ned. "You forget the dam. But pull on your coat andwe'll be off. It's not raining enough to hurt us. "

Randy hastily obeyed, and after satisfying themselves that the lingeringembers of the fire could do no damage, the boys went down the shakingflight of steps to the lower floor. With great care they crossed therotten planks, and were half way to the door when a burly figuredarkened the threshold--a roughly dressed man with a gun on his shoulderand a partially filled grain sack in his hand. 

The boys stood still, half frightened, half astonished, but the strangercame quickly forward, lowering his gun as he did so. 

"Good morning, my lads, " he said in a gruff, mocking voice, "so thestorm has driven you to my humble retreat. You are welcome--quitewelcome. Make yourselves at home. This is an unexpected honor. I amsorry I was absent when you called. "

The boys exchanged startled glances. There was an unpleasant ring to thestranger's voice that boded no good intentions. 

"If you own this mill we are much obliged to you for the use of it, "said Ned. "We got wet in the storm and came here to dry ourselves. Wetook the liberty of making a fire in the stove up stairs. "

As he spoke he moved toward the door with Randy at his heels. 

"Not so fast, " muttered the man, pushing the boys forcibly back. "Youcan stay a while and keep me company. I've taken a fancy to you chaps, and want to get better acquainted with you. Over there is the portionof this domicile that I occupy at present. It ain't very palatial, but Ireckon I can give you a log to sit on. "

There was no choice but to obey, and the boys reluctantly crossed therickety floor to the lower corner of the mill. Here was a great heap ofsawdust, and two or three logs. The man sat down on the former--betweenthe boys and the door--and motioned his companions to one of the logs. 

It was now fully daylight, and the stranger's position, facing one ofthe broad windows on the creek side of the mill, gave the boys anopportunity to examine him closely. 

He wore a dirty, greasy suit of tweed, patched here and there withdifferent colored cloth. His shoes gaped at the toes, and his coatcollar was buttoned tightly about his throat--no doubt in default of ashirt. 

His face might have been handsome at one time, but it was now marred andbrutalized by a life of dissipation. His nose and cheeks were purple, his eyes bloodshot, and a matted growth of brown hair strayed frombeneath a ragged slouch hat. 

Little wonder that Ned and Randy cowered fearfully before the gaze ofthis evil looking ruffian. They knew now that he was a tramp, and neverbefore had they seen a worse specimen. 

It suddenly occurred to Ned that this was the same man who had passedthe camp in a boat on the previous night, and the knowledge by no meansadded to his peace of mind. 

Immediately on sitting down the stranger had taken a short black pipefrom his pocket, and filled and lighted it. But during the performanceof this operation he was not oblivious to the keen scrutiny of hiscompanions. 

"I hope you chaps will know me again, " he said in a sarcastic tone. "Orwere you just admiring my beauty? Dude Moxley is what my friends allcall me, because I dress with such taste, and take such good care of mycomplexion. "

Suddenly changing his voice he demanded gruffly, "Where are the othertwo chaps?"

"Why--why--how did you know there were two more?" exclaimed Ned, thrownoff his guard by the question. 

Mr. Moxley smiled complacently. "I seen the canoes and the tent upyonder along the shore. As the canoes happened to be empty I judged therest of the party were on behind somewhere. I just guessed at theirbein' two more of you, but it seems I hit it. "

This was a very lame explanation, but the boys were too greatly worriedto notice its defects. 

"I may as well tell him all, " thought Ned. "Perhaps he will relent andlet us go. "

Acting on this impulse he related the occurrences of the previous night, and described the perilous situation of Clay and Nugget on the island. 

"Won't you let us go and look for our companions now?" he asked. "Ifthe island is flooded they are in great danger. "

Ned had risen in his eagerness, and now he made a step toward the door. 

"Sit down!" thundered Mr. Moxley. "If you lads try to escape I'll put ahole through you. "

He lifted the gun and patted it significantly, and that instant Nedrecognized the weapon. It was Mose Hocker's property--the identicalmuzzleloader which Randy had brought up from the depths of Rudy's Hole. Ned could see the silver plate set in the breech, and could partiallyread the inscription: "John Armstrong, Maker. "

Randy was equally quick to recognize the gun. He gave a little gasp ofastonishment and looked at Ned. 

The agitation of the boys was not observed by the ruffian. 

"Just sit still now, " he growled. "If you don't you'll be the worse off. You needn't be alarmed about your friends. I reckon they'll be alongthis way purty soon. "

While speaking Mr. Moxley happened to glance toward the upper end of themill, and through a gaping crevice between the boards he saw somethingthat caused a sudden wave of excitement to spread over his face. 

Rising quickly to his feet, he seized both boys in an iron grasp anddragged them several yards across the floor to a big closet thatoccupied the corner of the mill. He unbolted the door and shoved hiscaptives roughly inside. 

"Don't you dare to whimper, " he hissed savagely. "Mind that, my lads. Dude Moxley ain't to be trifled with. "

The ruffian slammed the door and bolted it, and the next instant hisheavy retreating footsteps shook the rotten floor. 

CHAPTER XXI

A MYSTERIOUS WARNING

It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nuggetspent the night on the island. As the absence of their companions wasmore and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave butlittle thought to their own miserable plight. 

The rubber coats shielded them from the rain, and by crouching under thetrees they avoided the fury of the wind. Nugget faced the situation withremarkable fortitude, and uttered but few complaints. 

After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became lessfrequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to seehow the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered thatthe creek was rising. So rapidly did the flood advance that on the fifthvisit they found the roots of the buttonwood submerged, and the yellowtide within a few inches of the trunk. 

At Clay's suggestion the canoes were dragged out on the island, and allthe baggage was stowed in the hatches. When the task was completed thecanoes were so heavy that the boys could scarcely lift them; and littlewonder, since they held just double their usual load. 

The water soon began to trickle over the island, and when it was threeor four inches deep, the boys tied the canoes side by side to a largetree, and climbed into their seats. Here they sat, protected by rubbercoats and canvas aprons until morning dawned. 

The broad yellow expanse of the creek, as it whirled swiftly by theisland with its burden of _débris_ and driftwood, satisfied Clay thatthe absent ones had found it impossible to paddle back. 

"There is no use in waiting here any longer, " he said to Nugget. "Theboys may have been carried far down the creek, and are probably lookingfor us at this minute. "

"You think they are safe then?" asked Nugget. 

"I hope so, " replied Clay dubiously. "We'll know to a certainty beforelong. Hand me your knife till I cut the ropes. I tied them in a knot. "

"Here you are. "

An instant later the canoes drifted off the island, and plunged into theswirling flood. Their heavy loads caused them to sink almost to thegunwales, and this the boys noted with serious alarm. 

"We must keep along shore, " said Clay. "If we upset then the dangerwon't be so great. "

With extreme caution the boys paddled diagonally to the left bank, wherethey found the current considerably less rapid. They were drifting alongside by side when a man suddenly appeared from behind a tree a fewyards ahead, and beckoned them anxiously with his finger. 

"Come in here a minute, you fellows, " he whispered hoarsely, when thecanoes were close to him. 

The boys ceased paddling, but hesitated to obey. 

"I don't mean any harm, " added the man. "It's for your own good. "

"I wonder what he wants, " said Clay. "Perhaps it's something about theboys. Let's talk to him, Nugget. "

They ran the canoes into a shallow inlet where dry land had been but afew hours before, and the stranger came quickly toward them. Hisappearance was not calculated to cause the boys any alarm. 

He looked to be about six and twenty. He was poorly dressed, and hisrather boyish face was covered with a stubbly growth of light hair. Something in his features seemed to wake a chord of recognition inClay's heart, and he struggled with his memory to account for it. 

The man came close to the canoes, and after casting a furtive glance upand down the shore, said in a low voice:

"You needn't get out. I won't keep you long. Where are the other twochaps that belong to your party?"

This unexpected question amazed the boys, and they regarded the strangerwith sudden suspicion. 

"I don't mean any harm to you, indeed I don't, " he added. "It's just theother way. "

There was unmistakable sincerity in his words and manner, and after abrief deliberation Clay told him how the other boys had started afterthe tent, and had not come back. 

"I thought you wanted to tell us something about them, " he concluded. "Did you just come up the creek?"

"Yes, " replied the man. "I was as far down as the next dam, but I didn'tsee a sign of your friends. I reckon they're below that somewheres, soyou'd better push on and find them. I want to give you chaps a warning. Keep your eyes open for a big man with a purple face. If you run acrosshim get out of the way as quick as you kin. He's somewhere about thisneighborhood, too, for I seen his--"

The man stopped abruptly, and after another cautious survey of thewoods, resumed in a whisper:

"If you fellows do chance to get in trouble through this party, whymebbe I'll be near at hand to help. It ain't certain, mind, because hemay easily give me the slip again. If I kin find him afore he gets awaythis time, it ain't likely he will give you any trouble. "

"I don't quite understand, " said Clay in a perplexed tone. "Who are you, and who is this man that you are warning us about? Why should we beafraid of him?"

The stranger shook his head. 

"It ain't quite the thing for me to tell, " he said slowly. "You seenothin' may come of it after all. Just you fellows mind what I say, andkeep your eyes open. When you find your friends paddle on down thecreek for a good way before you camp. Good-by, I'm off. "

He turned abruptly away, and hurried through the woods toward the baseof the hill. 

Clay called him two or three times, but in vain. He was already out ofsight. 

The boys looked at each other for a moment with unspeakable amazement. 

"It's the queerest thing I ever heard of, " exclaimed Clay. "I don'tpretend to understand it. The man was serious in all he said, too. "

"There was something familiar about his face, " observed Nugget. "Atleast I thought so when I first saw him. "

"Why, that's just what struck me, " replied Clay eagerly. "I never saw_him_ before, but I have seen some one that looks like him. "

"That's about the way of it, " assented Nugget. "We'll keep a sharplookout for that purple faced man, anyhow. "

"We certainly will, " replied Clay. "Now then, let's be off. The fellowwon't return again. "

They backed out of the inlet and paddled on down the creek. Hardly aword was spoken. The mysterious stranger's warning had taken a deep holdupon both lads, and they were so deeply engrossed in puzzling over itthat they failed to see the dam until it was close to them. The fallingwater made but little noise since the breastwork was almost submerged. 

It was a weird and lonely scene that the boys gazed upon now--the broadyellow flood under a leaden sky, the gray crumbling mill looming througha pall of drizzling rain, and beyond, where the mists deepened, thefoaming thread of the creek, visible for a brief stretch before it waslost among the steep, pine clad hills. 

"What a desolate place!" exclaimed Clay. "I don't believe there is ahuman being within a mile. The boys must be farther down, and ten to onethey shot the dam in the dark. It doesn't look very dangerous, but Ihardly think we'll risk it, Nugget. That corner by the mill seems alikely place to carry around. "

"So it does, " assented Nugget. "Come ahead, we'll try it. "

With cautious strokes they paddled on until a sudden glimpse of thesluiceway leading under the mill caused them to pull up short. Theyheaded straight for shore, and as they scrambled out at the foot of thehill, and pushed through the bushes, intending to see what the chanceswere for a portage, they blundered into the two missing canoes and thetent. 

"Here's luck!" cried Clay. "Ned and Randy must be--"

The sentence was never finished, for that, instant the bushes rustled, parted, and a big burly man with a purplish red face stepped out. 

The blank amazement and fear on the faces of the two lads was a studyfor an artist. Before them was the living verification of themysterious warning. There was no mistaking that ruddy countenance. 

The stranger spoke first. 

"You're just the lads I'm looking for. Your friends are lying in yondermill. They went over the dam in their canoes this morning at daybreak. 

"I happened to see them and saved their lives. They were pretty neardrowned, but I managed to bring them around all right. They ain't ableto walk yet, so they asked me to go up the creek and hunt you fellows. Come right along and I'll take you to them. "

Was Mr. Dude Moxley's brain muddled that he should have inserted such agross error in his otherwise plausible little story? Perhaps he did nothave time to plan it thoroughly in his hasty advance from the mill, orhad calculated on finding his new victims at any other place than this. 

Frightened as the boys were they noted the discrepancy, and it openedtheir eyes to the seriousness of the situation. "If our friends wentover the dam this morning, " asked Clay with a touch of scorn, pointingto the canoes and the tent, "how do these come to be here?"

CHAPTER XXII

AN INSOLENT DEMAND

A dangerous glitter in the man's eyes showed that Clay's question wasnot at all to his liking. 

"How them canoes got here is none of your business, " he answeredemphatically, "and I don't want no argument about it. Step lively now inthe direction of that mill. "

The mask was off, and the boys realized that they were prisoners. Theircaptor's sullen features and the gun that he bore on his shoulderforbade any attempt at escape. 

With sinking hearts they trudged along the shore a few feet in advanceof the ruffian. They had no doubt that their companions were confined inthe mill, and it was some consolation to know they were going to jointhem. Why they had been captured at all, and what object was to begained by it was a mystery too deep for comprehension. 

From time to time the tramp uttered a brief order, and in this way hedrove the boys before him, across the sluiceway, and then over therickety floor of the mill to the lower corner. He unbolted the closetdoor and shoved them roughly in. 

It was not by any means a joyful reunion for the Jolly Rovers, but theywere very glad to be together again nevertheless. A crevice in the dooradmitted some light to the closet, and at the same time afforded a viewof Mr. Moxley, who was then sitting on the sawdust heap, examining thecontents of his grain bag. 

He drew out two dead chickens, half a dozen ears of corn, and a quantityof apples and pears--a sure proof that he had secretly been plunderingsome farmer. He began to munch one of the apples, and the boys tookadvantage of the opportunity to narrate their adventures in low, whispered tones. 

When all had been told the mystery was no nearer solution thanbefore--in fact it was even more complex. 

"I can't imagine why this fellow has gone to such trouble and risk tocapture us all, " said Ned. "I hardly think he will do any harm. We mustwait patiently and see what happens. "

"I can't understand that warning Nugget and I received, " added Clay. "Ihope the man will keep his word and help us out of this scrape. "

"I wouldn't count on that, " replied Ned; "and yet there may be more init than we suppose. "

"Hush!" whispered Randy with his eyes to the crevice. "Here comes thetramp. "

Moxley rose and approached the closet. He partially opened the door, andthen walked back a few paces behind one of the logs. 

"Now step out, you chaps, " he commanded sternly. "I have a littlebusiness to attend to, and I want it done quietly. "

The boys tremblingly obeyed, and when they were grouped before the doorthe ruffian added, "Now go through your pockets and lay everything youhave on this log. See that you don't keep anything back. "

It was hard to submit to this audacious robbery, but there was noalternative. Moxley had the gun in his hands. 

The boys deposited all they had about them on the log--watches, money, keys, fishing tackle, and handkerchiefs. The fellow made them turn everypocket inside out, and when he was satisfied that all were empty heappropriated the money, watches, and keys. The other articles hecontemptuously rejected, and allowed the boys to take them back. 

Then he drove his prisoners into the closet and bolted the door--much totheir surprise and consternation, for they had confidently expected tobe turned loose. 

"No racket now, " he growled. "I ain't going so far away but what I kinhear you. It won't do to yell or kick, for the door is too strong tobreak, and there ain't another living creature within a mile. "

He tramped heavily across the floor and left the mill. 

The loss of their valuables had made the boys so angry and indignantthat they were little inclined to regard the warning. They soon came tothe conclusion, however, that escape was really impossible. 

The door was stoutly built, and rendered still stronger by heavy crossbars. The hinges and the bolts were massive. The combined efforts of allfour failed to make any impression, and they soon abandoned the attempt. 

"Great Cæsar! I see it all now, " exclaimed Ned suddenly. "Thatscoundrel is going to carry off our canoes, and leave us to get out thebest way we can!"

No one doubted that Ned was right. The boys stared at each other inspeechless consternation. 

It was bad enough to lose their watches and money, but now they wereabout to be deprived of everything--clothes, canoes, and tent. It meantthe sudden termination of the cruise, and an ignominious return home. 

"Let's pound and kick with all our might, " suggested Clay. "The doorcan't hold out forever. "

Before any one could reply a heavy tread was heard, and looking throughthe crevice Ned made the startling announcement that the ruffian hadreturned. 

The boys hardly knew whether to be glad or sorry at this piece of news. They feared a greater misfortune than the loss of all their property. 

Crowding close to the crevice--which extended upward the length of thedoor--they peered eagerly into the room. Moxley had not returned emptyhanded. He had employed his brief absence in rifling the canoes, and wasladen with their entire contents, excepting the dishes and the fishingrods. 

He deposited his burden on the sawdust and sat down beside it. Veryslowly and attentively he ransacked the bags of clothes, the packets ofprovisions, and the little japanned tin boxes in which the boys keptpaper and envelopes, stamps, fishing tackle, and various other articles. 

Then he took the empty grain sack and stuffed it with the clothes, and alarge portion of the provisions. He appropriated all the stamps he couldfind, and pushed the tin boxes aside. 

Having completed his arrangements he walked over to the closet andopened the door. Then he sat down on a log facing the boys with his gunacross his knee. 

"I think I have you chaps pretty tight, " he said, wrinkling his faceinto an ugly smile. "I have a very particular engagement about twentymiles from here, and it was my first intention to start away thismorning. But seein' as the rain is still coming down I have changed mymind and will give you the pleasure of my company fur a few hourslonger. 

"The fact is I've taken quite a fancy to you chaps--quite a decidedfancy. There's one young gentleman in your party I'm 'specially anxiousto see. I've had a cherished memento of him fur the last ten days, andit's quite a load on my mind because I haven't given him anything inreturn. It keeps me from sleepin' sound at nights. "

Here Mr. Moxley threw out his right leg, and turned the trousers up afew inches, revealing half a dozen red scars on his ankle. 

"That's the memento I speak of, " he said. "It's a purty one, isn't it?"

There was a breathless pause. The boys turned pale before the ferociousglance of the scoundrel. The mystery was clear as daylight now. 

Their captor was none other than Bug Batters's desperate companion. Fromsheer love of revenge he must have been tracking the Jolly Rovers eversince that momentous night nearly two weeks previous. 

Moxley gloated over the consternation and the dread that were depictedon the faces of his prisoners. He did not speak for a moment, but gazedat the boys with a cruel smile that was more terrible than amanifestation of anger. 

"Well, " he said finally, "I reckon you know who I am by this time. I'llgive you just five minutes to point out the lad who peppered me withsalt. If you're sensible chaps you'll do it without hesitation. If youtry to make a fool out of me I'll serve you all the same way I intend toserve him. I'm a fair minded man, and don't want to punish the innocentwith the guilty if I kin help it. "

The boys looked at one another without speaking. If Randy was a shadepaler than the others it escaped the notice of Mr. Moxley, although hewas scanning all the faces intently, with a view to picking out theguilty one by his own powers of perception. 

"The allotted time is slipping away, " he said grimly. "The right partyhad better speak up quick. Oh! you needn't look out of the windows. Noone comes near this place in the summer, and there ain't a house withinthree quarters of a mile. I've got you right in my power, and thereain't no hope of escape. "

"I hardly think you will get the information you want, " said Ned in afirm but husky voice. "I for one shan't tell you, and I advise myfriends to do the same. It's not likely we would put one of ourcompanions in your power after the threats you have made. If you wish toavoid trouble in the future you will be satisfied with robbing us, andwill let us go without any worse treatment. As for the shooting--no onewas to blame but yourself. You had no business to attack our camp thatnight. "

CHAPTER XXIII

A DARING ATTEMPT

Moxley's face turned a deeper shade of purple, and he made a threateningstep toward Ned. 

"You're a bold lad, " he said with a harsh laugh. "There are not manywould dare to speak to me in that way. But it wasn't you who fired thegun that night. I can tell by your actions that you're anxious to screenone of your companions. "

He paused a moment and then went on: "You'll find out before long thatDude Moxley ain't to be trifled with. I'll get what I want out of youobstinate pig headed chaps if it takes a week. I know how to bring youto terms. Back you go in that closet now, and there you stay until youcan listen to reason. When you hand over the lad I want the rest of youcan go free, and so can the other one for that matter--when I'm throughwith him. 

"Perhaps when he finds his companions are suffering for what he did, hisconscience will make him confess. But mark you now, if this affair ain'tsettled by to-morrow's dawn I'll chop up your canoes and burn the tent. I'll do more than that, too. I'll bind and gag you, and leave you herealone. And not a bite do you get to eat, either. "

With this ultimatum Mr. Moxley rose, and bolted the door. Then he satdown on the sawdust, and sorting out some crackers and jerked beef fromthe provisions began to eat greedily. 

He was evidently quite satisfied to spend another night at the mill, forthe rain was coming down faster than ever. What he had told the boysabout the loneliness and security of the place was no idle boast, elsehe would have made haste to leave the locality with his plunder. 

Meanwhile a very excited discussion was being carried on in whispersbehind the closet door. 

Randy, stricken with remorse for the troubles in which he had involvedhis companions, was resolved to admit the shooting. 

"I'd sooner stand the punishment than see you fellows starving here, " hesaid. "It will save the canoes and the tent, too. I don't believe theman will dare to harm me. He is only trying to scare us. "

"Not a bit of it, " replied Ned stoutly. "He's a thoroughbred villain, and will certainly take some revenge on you. Your resolve does you lotsof credit, Randy, but it won't do. You might repent it all the days ofyour life. "

Clay and Nugget were of the same mind, and earnestly urged Randy toabandon his rash intention. 

"Help may be nearer than we think, " said Clay. "The man who stopped usup the creek this morning was certainly Bug Batters, and it looks verymuch to me as though he has been following this Moxley on purpose tokeep him from doing us any injury. He may feel grateful to us, you know, because we saved his brother--or rather you did, Ned. "

"And Bug Batters knew that Moxley was in the vicinity, " whisperedNugget. "That's who he was looking for when we met him. "

"I have no doubt that the stranger was Bug Batters, " said Ned, "and Ithink he is trying to prevent his old companion from carrying out hisrevenge, as Clay suggests. But what has become of Bug Batters now? Thatis the important question. I am afraid he has strayed off in some otherdirection. If he came near the mill he could not help finding thecanoes. "

"He told us he had been down the creek just before we met him, " remarkedClay, "but he could not have been all the way to the mill, for the twocanoes and the tent were there then, and he did not say anything aboutthem. "

"And when he left us he struck back toward the base of the hill, " addedNugget. 

"It looks very much as though he had lost the trail entirely, " said Ned. "He may be three or four miles away. It would be very foolish to counton getting help from him, anyhow. "

"Then we don't stand a ghost of a chance, " muttered Randy. "You hadbetter let me have my own way. I'll throw myself on that fellow'smercy. "

"You won't do anything of the kind, " said Ned firmly. "We won't letyou. If anything serious happened we would have to shoulder the blame. If you are really sorry for being the cause of this scrape, prove it bydropping your foolish project. "

"You take things coolly enough, " grumbled Randy. "Do you want us to staycooped up here for a week, and lose everything we have? Go ahead, then. I won't say any more. "

In truth Randy was glad enough to give up his resolve. Remorse hadprompted him to make the offer, and he had secretly hoped that hiscompanions would refuse to accept the sacrifice. 

"I don't intend that we shall stay here a week, or even a night, if Ican help it, " said Ned, after a pause. "I have a little plan in my head, but it won't work until evening. If that fails we still have a slimchance left. 

"The farmer from whom those chickens were stolen may stray down here insearch of the thief, and it is not impossible that Mose Hocker issomewhere about here. This man certainly stole that gun from Hocker'scabin, and if he took the boat at the same time--which I believe hedid--Hocker will surely try to recover his property, and will naturallylook for it along the creek. "

Ned's reasoning--and especially his intimation of a plan to escape--putthe boys in a more cheerful mood. They were all thoroughly exhausted forwant of sleep, but that was of little consequence compared with thepangs of hunger and thirst they were enduring. They had eaten nothingsince the previous evening, nor had a drop of water touched their lips. And it was now past noon. 

It was aggravating, nay, maddening, to know that their store ofprovisions was so close. Well they realized the futility of appealing totheir merciless captor. 

He had said they should have no food, and they knew he meant it. Nodoubt he would deny them water also, and they did not venture to ask it. 

They could see the fellow plainly. He was sprawled in a lazy attitude onthe sawdust, pulling at his foul black pipe. Occasionally he took aflat, greenish bottle from his pocket and tasted the contents with asatisfactory smack of the lips. The fumes of bad tobacco and whiskybegan to permeate the closet. 

So the long afternoon wore on. Moxley seemed quite unconcerned about hisprisoners. He was well content to lie on the soft sawdust with hisbottle and his pipe, secure from the pelting rain that was fallingoutside. 

Ned kept a close watch upon him, noting with satisfaction that he hadfrequent recourse to the bottle. His potations would likely inducesleep. 

It seemed to the impatient boys that night would never come, but at lastthe gray light faded from the crevice, and the dusk of evening deepenedthe shadows in the old mill. 

Before it was fairly dark Moxley lighted one of the lanterns that hehad brought from the canoes and put it on a log. It was a bullseye, andhe so trained it that the yellow glare shone on the sawdust heap. 

Perhaps he fancied it an excellent substitute for sunlight, which alltramps love so dearly. At all events he basked in it while he smoked acouple of pipes, and then, after several ineffectual efforts to sitstraight, he rolled over on his back. 

A moment later heavy snores came from his parted lips. He wasundoubtedly asleep. 

It may be imagined with what anxiety Ned had been watching this littlescene through the crevice. 

"The time has come, " he whispered to his companions. "Moxley won't wakein a hurry now. But to make sure, suppose you mount guard there, Randy. "

"What are you going to do?" asked Randy, as he crouched down on thefloor. "Break the door open?"

"Not much. I'll show you in a moment. "

The closet in which the boys were confined was built right against therear end of the mill. Its dimensions were ample--eight feet long andabout four wide. Underneath was the wasteway, but its usual roar was nowsubdued by an influx of water from the flooded creek. 

Ned had been quietly examining the situation during the day, and hadnoted the shaky condition of the floor planks. He now directed Clay andNugget to stand close to the door. Then kneeling down he inserted bothhands in a crevice between two of the planks and pulled with all hismight. 

A ripping noise, a sharp crack--and the worm eaten plank came free ofthe beams, leaving a gaping orifice in the very center of the floor, four feet long by a foot and a half wide. 

Ned trembled like a leaf. 

"Is it all right?" he whispered eagerly. 

"Yes, " replied Randy. "The rascal is sound asleep. He didn't budge. "

"I'm glad of that. "

The boys looked timidly down the hole, and crouched closer to the wall. Far below, through the network of crossed beams, they could see theeddying flood. It looked immeasurably distant. 

"You don't expect us to go down there, I hope, " queried Clay. 

"No, but I intend you to lower _me_ through, " answered Ned. "If I canreach one of those rafters I will be all right. It won't be a difficultmatter to get out on land. Then I will hurry around to the door, liberate you fellows, while Moxley is sleeping, seize his gun--and thenaway for freedom. "

Ned drew a long breath at the prospect. 

"Now this is what I want you to do, " he resumed in a calmer tone. "Ifthe rafters are too far below me you must let me down to them by one ofyour coats. Brace yourselves now so you can stand the strain. "

The boys obeyed and Randy stripped off his coat in case it should beneeded. 

Then Ned lowered himself at one end of the hole, and swung clear down. 

He pulled himself up, and clung by his elbows. "No good, " he whisperedhoarsely. "The nearest rafter is a foot below. Let me have the coat. Itwill be safer than trusting to your hands. I might drag you down withme. "

The three boys braced themselves around the hole, and took a firm graspof the upper part of the coat. 

"All right, " whispered Randy. 

By a dexterous movement Ned transferred his hold from the planking tothe more precarious support and slipped downward, hand over hand. Aninstant later his feet touched a broad, solid beam. 

CHAPTER XXIV

AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER

The instant the tension relaxed the boys drew the coat up. 

"All right!" came Ned's voice from the darkness. "Put the plank back inplace now and keep very quiet. Wait a moment, " he added quickly. "Something just occurred to me. I may be right and I may be wrong, butat all events don't you fellows be scared if you hear a big splash. "

"We won't, " whispered Randy. 

Then the plank was dropped noiselessly over the hole. 

Ned straddled the rafter--it was too dark to risk an uprightposition--and made his way to the nearest end, which terminated in oneof the walls of masonry that formed the sides of the sluiceway, and onwhich the mill partially rested. Then he turned around and crept to theother end, where he found the same state of affairs. 

His fears were now confirmed. The mill rose fairly from the two stonewalls, and there was no way of escaping overhead, even had the otherrafters been within reach. His only chance lay in the flooded waterwayunderneath. 

Ned had more than half expected this, and was therefore prepared for theemergency. Without hesitation he swung from the rafter and droppedthrough eight feet of space into the turbid flood. 

He went clear under, but came to the surface quickly, and swam withvigorous strokes down the wasteway. Both the air and the water werewarm, and he felt little discomfort. 

Between the reflex current from the creek on top, and the undertow fromthe sluiceway beneath, he was buffeted about considerably before hesucceeded in emerging on the spit of land between the mill and thecreek. He squeezed the water from his clothes as well as he could, andstarted up the slope through the stones and bushes. A misty drizzle ofrain was still falling. 

He redoubled his caution as he neared the upper end of the mill. Creeping on hands and knees to the door, he peeped cautiously over thethreshold. He was hardly prepared for what met his gaze. 

He had confidently expected to find Moxley sound asleep, and instead ofthat the fellow was sitting upright with his gun across his knees, andhis bottle in one hand. Perhaps the splash made by Ned's drop into thewasteway had wakened him without arousing his supicions. He had nopresent intention of going to sleep, for he moved a little closer to thelight of the lantern, and filled his pipe. 

For a moment Ned felt the disappointment keenly. He knew what a severeblow it must be to his companions. It was out of the question to rescuethem now, for Moxley was directly between the door and the closet. 

Ned had been so sure of effecting his plan without hindrance, that ithad not occurred to him what step to take in case of failure. But abrief consideration of matters raised his spirits, and he resolved toseek the nearest farmhouse and obtain help. 

"That is a far better plan anyhow, " he reflected with satisfaction. "Moxley will be captured, and we will recover our watches and money. Andwe won't have to start down this flooded creek in the dark, either, Imust be quick, though, for Moxley might happen to open the closet anddiscover my absence. I wish there was some way of letting the boys knowwhat I am going to do. "

This was manifestly impossible, so Ned crawled away from the door andcrossed the sluice to the foot of the hill. He could not withstand thetemptation to go up the creek and have a look at the canoes. 

He found them all safely out of reach of the flood, for Moxley was tooshrewd a man to let them go adrift, and perhaps cause an investigationthat would frustrate his plans. 

As Ned was turning away his eye caught a sudden gleam from the cockpitof Clay's canoe, and on making an investigation he was surprised to findRandy's gun. Moxley must have overlooked it. 

The weapon was useless, for the ammunition had been carried off, but Nedshouldered it and started briskly down the creek. At the sluiceway hefound a well trodden footpath, and followed it along the rear side ofthe mill, and thence by the base of the hill to a wagon road which beganabruptly at the edge of the wasteway, where there was no doubt a fordingto the opposite neck of land. 

Ned concluded that the road led to the home of the man who owned themill, and he was about starting off in haste when his eyes fell on aboat that protruded from a clump of bushes a few yards down the shore. 

On going close he recognized it instantly by the peculiar arrangement ofthe seats. It was Mose Hocker's boat. Moxley had carried it off when hestole the gun. 

"I say, young fellow, don't be quick with that shootin' iron; I want totalk to you. "

The voice came from a thicket a few feet up the bank, and as Ned stoodstill with fear and amazement, a man slipped out and stood before him. 

Ned instantly guessed the identity of the newcomer. 

"You are Bug Batters?" he asked quickly. 

"Yes, I'm Bug Batters, and I reckon you are one of them canoein' chaps. I took you fur some one else at first--fur the man what put this boathere. "

"You mean Dude Moxley, " said Ned. "Well, I can tell you where he is. Inspite of your warning we all fell into his hands, and I'm the only onethat's free so far. "

He went on with his story and quickly made the situation clear. 

Bug was amazed to learn how close his old companion was. 

"It's a purty bad fix, " he said slowly, "but I reckon we can't get yourfriends out of it. It's a pity you have no loading fur that gun. Yousee, Moxley is a bad man and won't listen to argument. We'll have tothink over the matter a little bit, and meanwhile I'll tell you how Icome to be here. "

Both sat down on the boat, and Bug began his narrative. 

"I'm a purty rough customer, but I've got a heart like other men, andI'm grateful to you because one of you saved my brother from drowning. Moxley was awful mad when you gave him the slip, but he didn't think ofgoing after you at first. Two or three days later he heard accidentallythat you fellows was camping some place along the creek--I furget thename of it now--and knowin' from this that you weren't in any hurry hegot into his head to go after you. 

"I tried to talk him out of it, but it weren't any use, so then I let onI was agreed to it, meanin' all the time to stand by you fellows. Well, we traveled down the creek fur a couple of days until a rock knocked thebottom out of our boat and sunk it. "

Bug hesitated briefly, and then resumed in a faltering voice: "Wepicked up another boat that night, and started off again, but I reckonMoxley must have suddenly got suspicious of me, for when morning came hegave me the slip and that was the last I seen of him. Knowin' that hemeant mischief, and knowin' that you chaps couldn't be far away, Ifollered the creek on down. 

"Before daylight this morning I found the boat here. I went up the creekthen lookin' fur Moxley, and that's when I met two of your party andwarned them. "

"But where have you been all day?" interrupted Ned. "We thought you hadgone off in some other direction. "

"I'll tell you where I've been, " muttered Bug angrily. "I had a streakof hard luck this morning. After I left your fellows I struck over thehill to the nearest farmhouse, thinkin' Moxley might be prowlin' aroundfor something to eat. I reckon he'd been there before me, because thefirst thing I knew a big ugly farmer and his hired man had me fast. Theyswore I'd been stealin' chickens an' corn, and wouldn't let me say aword. They penned me up in an outbuilding, intending to lug me toCarlisle jail in the morning. But I broke out about an hour ago, andcame straight down here, and when I seen the boat I knew Moxley must besomewhere around yet. "

"That _was_ hard luck, " said Ned, smiling at the recollection. "Moxleyhad a whole bag of chickens, and corn, and fruit in the mill. The farmerthought you were the man that stole it. It was awfully kind of you togo to all this trouble and risk on our account. There are not many menwho would have done it. "

"You saved my brother's life, " replied Bug doggedly. "It takes a gooddeal to square a debt of that kind. There's one thing I'd like to saythough. It goes agin the grain to serve an old pal an ill turn--nomatter how bad a man he is. I'm willing to get your friends free, an'save your money, and watches, an' everything else, but I ain't goin' tobe the means of puttin' Moxley in jail--if I can help it. I'm afraid, for one thing, because he'd hunt me down as soon as he got out. "

"Well, I'll leave the whole affair in your hands then, " replied Ned. "Iwas just on my way to the farmhouse when you stopped me. What do youthink we had better do? Wait for Moxley to go to sleep again, or try tocapture him with this empty gun?"

Before Bug could open his lips to reply a slight noise was heard in thebushes, and three men suddenly appeared on the other side of the boat. 

"We have you at last, you scoundrel, " cried a harsh voice. 

CHAPTER XXV

THE SIEGE BEGINS

The unexpected appearance of the three strangers stupefied Ned, but Bugturned like a flash and started to run. Two of the men instantlyoverhauled him and threw him roughly to the ground, while a thirdhastily opened the slide of a dark lantern that was strapped to hiswaist and cast a flood of light upon the scene. 

Ned uttered a gasp of amazement. The man with the lantern was MoseHocker. 

The recognition was mutual. 

"You here!" cried Hocker in a pained voice. "I didn't expect this. Is itpossible that you lads came down to my cabin and stole the gun and theboat? I wouldn't have believed it of you without the evidence of my owneyes. "

"And this here's the same feller I had locked up in the smoke house, "exclaimed one of Bug's captors. "I'll bet he don't steal any morechickens for a while. "

Ned stood pale and agitated before his accuser--quite at a loss forwords to explain. 

"I'm sorry for you, " resumed Hocker, "but I must do my duty an' handyou over to constable Jeffries. Where are the rest of your party?"

The words came with a rush now as Ned eagerly denied his guilt andexplained away the incriminating circumstances. 

Then, while the others clustered about him, he commenced the story atthe beginning, and went through with it thread by thread. 

His excitement caused him to speak a little inarticulately; and hemissed a few details, but by adroit cross questioning his hearersobtained a clear understanding of the whole situation--starting with therescue of Bug's brother and ending with the events that had recentlytranspired at the mill. 

Ned was so anxious to procure Bug's release that he quite forgot hissuspicions of a few moments before--namely, that Bug was equally guiltywith Moxley of the theft of the boat and the gun. 

"Won't you let him go?" he pleaded. "It's all a mistake. He had nothingto do with stealing those things from the farmer. He was doing all hecould to help us. "

But Hocker had formed his own opinion after hearing Ned's story, and sohad constable Jeffries and Mr. Zinn, the farmer. 

"I'm mighty glad to know you lads ain't guilty, " said Hocker, "and I axyour pardon for my wrong suspicion. As for this fellow, I ain't so sureabout him. I don't doubt that he's really been trying to get you chapsout of a scrape though, and I promise you he'll get full credit for it. Meanwhile we'd better make sure of him--just as a matter of form, youknow. "

He nodded to Jeffries and the latter slipped a pair of bracelets onBug's wrists. 

Ned was surprised and indignant. He saw no reason for such a step. 

"Don't be worried, lad, " remarked Hocker soothingly. "He may be turnedloose later on. You see I can't afford to let the guilty parties escapeafter the hard chase they've given me. Why, Jeffries and I have beenscourin' all along the creek in a buggy. We happened to strike Zinn'sfarm this evening, and stopped fur information. Zinn told us he had aman locked up in the smoke house, but when we went to look the fellowwas gone. 

"I suspected it was the party I wanted, an' knowin' that in that casethe boat couldn't be far away, we hurried down to the creek. And it'swell we did for your sake as well as mine. The next thing is to rescuethe lads and capture the rascal. We had better be quick or he will takealarm and leave the mill. "

"Moxley is the fellow's name, is it?" said the farmer. "It has a kind offamiliar ring to my ears. "

"I know the man, " spoke up Jeffries. "Dude Moxley he goes by, but thatain't his real name. He comes from a good family up the valley, and waswell educated when a lad. Drink ruined him, and now he's one of thegreatest scamps unhung. I know this other chap, too, " added theconstable. "His folks are sober, respectable people over at the Gap, but he ain't much better than Moxley. We've met more than once before. How is it, my man?"

Bug hung his head but said nothing. 

The scene was inexpressibly painful to Ned, and he was greatly relievedwhen the conversation turned on the rescue of his companions. He littledreamed that the most exciting incidents of this already eventful nightwere yet to come. 

"We had better cross to the neck of land in your boat, Hocker, "suggested Zinn. "The plank over that sluiceway makes a lot of racket, and the scoundrel may hear us and slip away. "

This happy idea was carried out. The entire party embarked, and landed amoment later about ten yards below the mill. The rain had ceased sometime before, and the moon was now peeping through a rift in the scuddingclouds. 

As the men crept up the stony slope they saw through the gaping crevicesof the mill the yellow gleam from Moxley's lantern. Suddenly itvanished, and a creaking noise was hear. 

"The rascal is escaping. We must run for it, " whispered Hocker. Hebounded forward with Jeffries at his heels. Zinn fell behind, leavingBug in charge. 

The men swiftly turned the upper corner of the mill just as the door wasslammed and bolted in their faces. Hocker began to kick savagely andwrench the handle. 

"That won't do any good, " exclaimed Zinn, as he reached the spot. "Imade a strong job of that door, and it will take more than a little tobreak it down. There are plenty of other places that can be forced in. "

A brief pause followed, and then a sullen voice issued from behind thedoor. 

"I'll put a hole through the first man that tries to enter this mill. Imean what I say. Dude Moxley ain't to be trifled with. "

The men hastily withdrew, first taking the precaution to remove theplank that covered the sluiceway. 

"The rascal must have seen us coming up the slope in the moonlight, "muttered Hocker. "I suppose he thought we had the place surrounded andevery avenue of escape cut off. He's a desperate fellow, and may stand along siege. "

In truth Moxley seemed to be preparing for that very thing. He boldlydrew in the shutters of the two windows that the faced the creek, and amoment later he began to roll logs about, evidently fortifying the weakplaces in the wall. 

"That may be only a ruse, " said Jeffries. "Is there any way of escapefrom the other side?"

"Of course there is, " exclaimed the farmer. "He can easily drop from thesecond story window to the foot of the hill. Lend me that empty gun, " headded, turning to Ned. "I'll cross the wasteway in the boat and getbehind the trees a few yards up the hill. If the rascal attempts tocrawl out the window I'll scare him back. "

Ned handed over the gun, and the farmer departed in haste. Hocker andJeffries moved aside and carried on a whispered conversation. 

Bug was left to his own devices. He could not escape, for the removal ofthe plank from the sluiceway made the place literally an island. He satdown on a big stone, with his manacled hands resting on his knees. Nedwas restless and heartsick, and the prolonged suspense grew moreintolerable every moment. He was afraid that Moxley would vent his angeron the boys, and perhaps do them an injury. 

Hocker divined the lad's thoughts. 

"Don't be downhearted, " he said. "Your friends are safe enough. Thescoundrel won't dare to hurt them. By and by, if the siege threatens tolast, we'll find a way to get them out of the mill. "

"I hope you will succeed, " said Ned. "It's hard to tell what thatruffian will do. And none of us have had anything to eat since lastevening at supper time. "

Hocker was thunderstruck on hearing this, and hastily produced a doublehandful of crackers from the capacious pocket of his coat. 

"That will take the edge off your hunger, " he said. "I bought them at acountry store as we drove by this morning. When Zinn's hired man comesdown to see where his master is--as he surely will before long--I'llsend him back for food. If we can't get your friends out of the mill wecan at least send them something to eat through that loose board. Bymeans of the boat one of us can climb into the rafters. "

This plan seemed feasible, and Ned felt no compunctions about eating thecrackers. Nothing had ever tasted so good to him before. 

Meanwhile Hocker and Jeffries had been quietly holding anotherconsultation, and now the latter advanced to the side of the mill. 

"Moxley, " he called in a loud voice, "if you know what's best for you, you will quietly hand out that gun, and deliver yourself up. The moretrouble you give us, the harder it will be for you in the end. You can'tpossibly escape, and your capture is only a question of time. We arewell armed, and won't stand any fooling. Come out now and we'll make itas easy for you as possible. "

There was a brief pause, and then creaking footsteps were heart asMoxley approached the wall. 

"You can talk all night, " he shouted hoarsely, "but it won't do anygood. Don't you come too close, Bill Jeffries, or I might draw a bead onyou. We have more than one old score to settle. As for getting me out ofhere, you and ten like you can't do it. I have plenty of ammunition andplenty to eat, and this place will hold me as long as I want to stay. You can't take me inside of a week. I have four prisoners in here, andnot a mouthful of food will they get, not a sup of water, as long as youfellows are prowling around. I mean what I say, Jeffries, and you knowit. For your own good I warn you to get out of this. I'll shoot thefirst man that enters the mill. "

To enforce this hostile declaration Moxley thrust the muzzle of his gunthrough a crevice, and Jeffries hastily retreated. 

CHAPTER XXVI

BUG'S PROPOSITION

There was dead silence for a while. It was only too evident that Moxleymeant what he said, and though Jeffries and Hocker were brave men, theywere reluctant to engage in a struggle with all the odds against them. 

Accompanied by Ned and Bug they moved down to the edge of the water--adistance of less than thirty feet in the present condition of thecreek--and ensconced themselves in some thick bushes. There was noslight risk that Moxley would shoot through the crevices if themoonlight afforded him a tempting chance. 

"If we can wait in patience the game will fall into our hands, " saidJeffries. "The rascal has been drinking, and the fiery stuff has givenhim false courage. After a while he will either fall asleep or becomehelpless from intoxication. "

"I wonder if the boys know that help is outside, " remarked Ned, "I wishI could get a few words with them. "

"Of course they know it, " replied Hocker. "They heard every word thatwas said, and they have too much sense to make any outcry. We'll getthem out of the scrape before long, never fear. "

Just then the farmer's shrill voice rang out distinctly from thehillside behind the mill:

"Keep back, you rascal. If you crawl out that window I'll drop you quickas a wink. "

"Moxley is trying to escape from the second floor, " muttered Hocker. "Wait a moment. I'll be back right away. "

He crept down the shore of the creek, and crossed the slope to thewasteway. 

"Is it all right, Zinn?" he called out. 

"Yes, " came the reply. "The rascal stuck his ugly head out of the windera moment ago, but I scared him back. He can't escape on this side. "

Hocker was about to rejoin his companions when a dark figure came downthe road and passed through a strip of moonlight which served to revealhis identity. It was Abner Peck, the farm hand. 

In response to a whispered command from Hocker the man jumped into theboat and pulled hastily across the wasteway. Hocker briefly explainedthe situation, and after a little further conversation Abner recrossedto the main land, while Hocker hurried back to his companions andrelated what had occurred. 

"I sent him up to the house for provisions and a rope, " he concluded, "and when he returns we'll try to get the lads out of the closet. "

This piece of news cheered Ned considerably, and helped him to endurethe suspense with fortitude. Nearly an hour passed by without a soundfrom the mill or the alert watcher on the hillside. 

The creek was still rising by slow degrees, but the sky was rapidlyclearing and gave every promise of continued fair weather. 

Finally a low whistle was heard, and Hocker noiselessly disappeared. Hereturned in less than five minutes, and announced that Abner was waitingwith the provisions and the rope. 

"Now I have an idea for working this little scheme, " he added. "Jeffries, you go to the other end of the mill and open a conversationwith Moxley--let on you want to reason with him some more. Keep himtalking as long as you can, and meanwhile me and this lad will slip upthe wasteway in the boat and try to get the lads free. If anything goeswrong, whistle. "

Jeffries was quite satisfied to take the part assigned to him. He movedoff in one direction, while Hocker and Ned took the other. Bug was leftalone in the bushes. 

Jeffries was already in conversation with Moxley when his companionsreached the wasteway. They could hear the voices of the two menindistinctly. 

Hocker motioned Ned to the rear seat beside Abner; then seizing the oarshe pulled the boat swiftly into the deep shadows under the mill. Thenext step was a more difficult one. 

Bidding Abner take the oars, and keep the boat in the same position ifpossible, he tossed the rope over the very beam to which Ned haddescended, and catching the end, tied it to the main part of the rope insuch a way as to form a sort of swinging loop, which could not slip. Bystanding on the seat he managed to get one foot in this loop; thenclutching both parts of the rope he drew himself quickly up, and afterswaying to and fro for an instant, threw one arm over the rafter. Aninstant later he was straddling it, and pulling the rope after him heuntied the loop. 

"Now, lad, " he whispered, "call your companions. They won't know myvoice. "

But this was rendered unnecessary by a sudden rasping noise above, asthe loose plank was carefully lifted from its place. 

"Randy! Randy!" whispered Ned. "It's all right. We're going to rescueyou. "

A glad murmur of voices was heard, and Randy incautiously replied:"Hurry up then. Now's your time, for Moxley is at the other end of themill talking. "

"Not so loud, lad, " whispered Hocker. "Hold steady now and look out forthe rope end. "

But before Hocker could throw it footsteps came hastily over the floorabove, and then a loud shrill whistle was heard--Jeffries's signal. 

An instant of breathless suspense was followed by the sudden thrustingof a shiny object through a hole in the floor a little to one side ofthe closet. 

"No you don't, " cried Moxley in a savage voice. "You can't play thatgame on me. Get out of that at once, or I'll riddle you with buckshot. In ten seconds I shoot. "

It was not a time to hesitate or parley. The plank dropped into place, and by a reckless swing and drop Hocker landed fairly in the center ofthe boat, very nearly capsizing it. Abner dropped the oars, and thecurrent whirled the craft swiftly down the wasteway. 

It was a bitter disappointment, especially to Ned. Jeffries hastened tothe spot as the party landed. 

"I'm awful sorry, " he said, "but it couldn't be helped. The rascal musthave heard some noise you made. "

"It's hard luck, that's a fact, " muttered Hocker. "I'll square accountswith that scoundrel afore I'm many hours older. The idea of histhreatenin' to shoot me with my own gun; that's what riles me most. It'sa pity we didn't get the food up. The boys'll have to starve a littlelonger, I reckon. "

"It will be only a little, too, " replied Jeffries grimly. "I don'tintend to stand any more nonsense. We'll think over the matter anddecide on some kind of a move. Moxley has got to come out of that mill. That settles it. "

The party went slowly back to the bushes, and Ned satisfied his hungerwith the bread and cold meat Abner had brought, while Jeffries andHocker carried on a low, earnest discussion. 

Presently the quiet was interrupted in an unexpected manner. Beingrestless and unhappy Bug wandered up toward the mill, and unwittinglystrayed into a patch of silvery moonlight. 

Moxley must have been on the watch, and the sight of his old chum puthim into a fury. He was ignorant of Ned's escape, and naturallyattributed his misfortunes to Bug. 

"You black hearted dog, " he cried savagely. "I'll get square with you. If I go to jail you'll go with me. It was all your fault anyhow. Youpersuaded me to go after these boys, and it was you who broke into thecabin and stole the gun and boat. I tried to keep you from it, but youwouldn't listen. 

"Oh, you'll pay up for your treachery. I'll swear to all thesethings--and a good many more--in court. That is if I get there--whichain't at all likely. And if I _do_ get out of this hole I'll hunt youdown, if it takes a year. "

Moxley's rage was so violent that Bug prudently retreated to the bushes. 

The ruffian kept up his abuse and called Bug all manner of vile namesuntil he was compelled to stop for sheer want of breath. 

Bug came down to Hocker and Jeffries and stood before them. 

"Look here, " he said hoarsely, "what that rascal says ain't true--atleast the most of it ain't. What part I had in stealin' the boat I'vemade amends fur already, and now I'm willing to do a good deal more. Alittle while ago I felt kinder sorry for Moxley because me an' him hasbeen together a good part of the summer. But when a man goes back on anold friend, an' calls him bad names, an' tries to get him into troubleby lyin', then I'm done with that man fur good. 

"I'd sooner see him in jail now than runnin' loose, an' if you give me afair show an' take these irons off, I'll find a way to get into thatmill and capture the mean rascal. He's more'n half drunk now, and I'm agood deal stronger than I look. When the chance comes I'll know how touse it. I'm talkin' on my honor now, an' mean what I say. You needn't beafraid to turn me loose. I can't escape if I'd want to. You know that. "

CHAPTER XXVII

THE BURNING OF THE MILL

There was no mistaking the sincerity of Bug's proposal, and coming, asit did, at a time when Hocker and Jeffries were unable to decide on anyfeasible plan of action, they were disposed to give a favorable answer. 

"It ain't a bad idea, " said Jeffries. "But how do you expect to get inwithout being seen?"

"I'll find a way, " returned Bug. "There air plenty of holes an' looseboards. "

"An' Moxley is watchin' them all, too, " remarked Hocker. "Your planain't very definite so far. "

Bug hesitated, and before he could reply something occurred that totallychanged the situation. 

"I see you again, you rascal, " came the farmer's voice from thehillside. "You can't fool me. Get away from that winder now. "

Hocker and Jeffries exchanged glances of mutual understanding. Thelatter quickly unlocked the bracelets and freed Bug's wrists. 

"Now's your chance, " he whispered. "Moxley is on the second floor. Slipin before he comes down. There's a loose board just below that middlewindow. There ain't time for more than one to get in or we'd followyou. When you need us sing out. Here, take this. "

He pressed a pistol into Bug's hand, and the latter bounded noiselesslyup the slope. He reached the mill, drew the lower end of a loose plank afoot from its place, and vanished through the orifice. 

Let us follow Bug on his perilous quest. Not until he was fairly inside, and crawling on hands and knees over the rickety floor, did he realizethe great danger that lay in what he had undertaken to do. For aninstant he trembled with fear, and then the memory of his wrongs steeledhis heart and nerves. 

A sudden noise overheard caused him to crouch midway on the floor. Amoment later the stairway creaked, and Moxley began to descend. Hisprogress could be noted as he passed the crevices in the wall. 

Bug lay motionless, wondering what he should do next. The possibility ofbeing discovered made him tremble violently. He quite forgot that he hada pistol. 

Moxley had now reached the floor, and with cautious steps he moved alongthe wall toward the lower corner. 

Suddenly there was a sound of a heavy fall, followed by a volley ofprofanity, and the next instant something flew against the wall, and wasshivered to fragments that fell with a tinkling noise. 

"He's tipped over a bottle, " thought Bug, "and now he's smashed itbecause he's mad. That's like Moxley. "

This haphazard guess was absolutely correct. All was silent for a secondor two after the glass had fallen; then Moxley grumbled in an audibletone: "Confound the luck! I hope that wasn't my whisky bottle. It ain'tin my pocket. "

Of such dire import did the question seem to the ruffian that heventured to strike a match--little dreaming what the impulse would costhim. 

Bug's heart beat wildly when he heard the crack and saw the light flashthrough the darkness. He jammed the pistol into his pocket and rose onhis hands and knees. 

Moxley was standing before the sawdust heap with his face to the wall. As the match flared up he dropped the gun and seized a greenish bottlethat was lying at his feet. 

"Here's luck!" he muttered contentedly. "It was the oil bottle I broughtfrom the canoes that got in my way. "

He lifted the fiery poison to his lips, still holding the burning matchbetween the fingers of his other hand, and remained in this attitude fora brief moment. 

Bug stood erect and moved across the floor with the caution of acreeping tigress. Nearer and nearer he came, and when less than fourfeet separated him from his intended victim, Moxley heard some slightnoise and wheeled around. 

Bug was on him with one spring, and down they fell with a great crash, and rolled in furious strife over the shaking floor--Bug crying for helpat the top of his voice, Moxley uttering hoarse threats andimprecations. 

Blinded with rage they did not observe that the burning end of the matchhad fallen on the very spot where the widely scattered kerosene oil wasmost plentiful. Even when the hissing blue flames spurted up and lickedthe rubbish on all sides with greedy tongues, they fought ondesperately, now one uppermost, now the other, as they verged toward thecenter of the floor. 

When Hocker and Jeffries burst into the mill, followed by Ned and Abner, the conflagration was beyond control. The flames were devouring theplanking of the wall with a great roaring and crackling, spreading oneach side and to the floor above. 

The scene was one long to be remembered. The cries of the struggling menon the floor mingled with the furious kicking and shouting that camefrom the imprisoned boys in the closet, and amid all the din andconfusion the farmer rushed down from the hillside and battered his wayinto the mill with the butt end of his gun. 

Fright gave Moxley the strength of a madman, and by a determined efforthe tore loose from his plucky assailant, and springing to his feetstarted to run. He struck Hocker, who jumped in front of him, a furiousblow that sent him reeling backward, but before he could make use ofhis advantage, he tripped on a log, and came down heavily. 

As he partially rose Bug leaped upon him, and both men rolled over tothe edge of a gaping hole in the floor. They struggled an instant on thebrink, and then fell through, landing with a terrific splash in theflooded wasteway far below. 

Hocker and Jeffries rushed precipitately from the mill to head them off, while the farmer insanely attempted to check the conflagration bytramping through the _débris_ that was burning here and there on thefloor. 

The whole affair had taken place in a very few seconds, and Ned was atfirst so dazed by the confusion and the flames that he was quiteincapable of doing anything. The terrified cries of his companionsroused him from his stupor, and he dashed through the intense heat tothe closet door. 

A quick jerk threw the bolt open, and the frightened boys poured out. The lurid glare of the flames and the spark laden volumes of smoke weremore than they could stand. One and all bolted for the nearest aperturein the creek side of the mill, and fortunately reached it withoutfalling through the gaps in the floor. 

Ned would gladly have followed their example, but he suddenly bethoughthim of the plunder Moxley had packed up to carry away. Such a loss wouldbe irreparable, and without hesitation he dashed toward the burningwall. 

The heat was intense, but he managed to get near enough to snatch thebag. One end was badly scorched. He suddenly spied Hocker's gun, andknowing how the owner valued it, he made another rush and carried it offin triumph. 

Thus laden down he tottered across the floor in imminent fear ofdropping through to the wasteway, and overwhelmed at times by thesuffocating smoke and fiery sparks. When his courage and endurance wereall but spent he reached a broken place in the wall and staggered intothe refreshing outer air. How good it seemed!

Abner had long since preceded him, and the farmer made his appearance amoment later, still grasping Randy's blackened gun. The boys had beenwaiting on Ned in terrible suspense, afraid to venture back into themill, and when he appeared with his burden their joy knew no bounds. 

They were ignorant of the disaster that had befallen Bug and Moxley, andwhen Ned told them, the whole party started off on a run. 

They searched the wasteway just as Jeffries and Hocker landed from theboat, pushing Moxley before them, and followed by Bug. The ruffian'shands were already manacled. With the exception of dripping clothesneither of the men seemed the worse for their struggle and subsequentfall. 

"They were still locked together when we pulled them from the water, "said Jeffries. "That little fellow is a plucky one. He deserves greatcredit for raising the siege. We've got our man at last, and bitterlyhe'll rue this night's work. "

"It's a bad job fur me, too, " observed the farmer. "The old mill willsoon be a heap of ashes. It's insured fur about what the lumber's worth, but that ain't much consolation. I hate to see it go after standin' herefur nigh onto seventy years. "

"It's hard, " muttered Hocker, "that's a fact. "

Then all were silent, watching the flames as they rose higher andhigher, and licked every corner of the doomed building. It was a grandsight while it lasted, but in twenty minutes nothing was left save a fewblackened beams and smoldering heaps of ashes. 

"That ends the fireworks, " said Jeffries. "We may as well be movingalong. It's past two o'clock in the morning. "

He drew a second pair of handcuffs from his pocket, and to Ned's wrathand indignation, clapped them suddenly on Bug's wrists. 

CHAPTER XXVIII

A GOOD DEED

Ned was the only one who showed any surprise at the constable's action, and quite naturally, since he alone was acquainted with all the facts inthe case. Hocker had already taken Moxley to the boat and seated him;the ruffian had lost his defiant manner, and was cowed and sullen. Jeffries now started to follow with Bug, but was stopped by a detainingtouch on the arm. 

"I beg your pardon, Mr. Jeffries, " said Ned, trying hard to control hisfeelings, "but you surely don't intend to carry off Bug to jail afterall he has done to-night? We owe everything to him. "

Jeffries looked at the lad half sternly. 

"Law is law, " he replied in a pompous tone. "I am an officer of justice, and must do my duty. This fellow was clearly concerned in the theft ofMocker's gun and boat, and what he did before or after that don't wipeout the crime. Why, if I'd turn him loose now I'd be compoundin' afelony. Of course I'll speak a good word for him when he comes up fortrial--I'll promise you that--and it may lessen his sentence. "

"Jeffries is right, " said the farmer. "If a man will commit crimes hemust suffer for them. Both fellows air guilty, no doubt. "

Bug threw a grateful glance at Ned, and then turned appealingly toHocker. 

"I don't deny that I was with Moxley when he broke into your cabin, " hesaid huskily, "but I was only with him because I wanted to help theseboys. I couldn't leave him without spoilin' my plans, and I couldn'tpersuade him to let the cabin alone, though I tried hard enough. He gaveme the slip next morning, as it was, an' I had to tramp it down thecreek the rest of the way. It's purty hard fer a feller to get into ascrape like this under them circumstances. "

Hocker's face wore a perplexed expression as he replied slowly:

"I'm sure I don't know what to say. Jeffries has the law at his fingerends, and it ain't fur me to contradict him. I reckon things will haveto take their course. "

Bug's hopeless looks and attitude went straight to Ned's heart, and heresolved to make a final appeal in his behalf. He was satisfied thatHocker would help him if he could be made to see the matter in itsproper light, so he drew him aside and told all he knew about Bug in asimple, earnest way--dwelling especially on the fact that Bug's desireto keep the boys out of a scrape was the sole cause of his ownmisfortune. 

The appeal carried conviction with it, and Hocker's sympathies werearoused. 

"I reckon I can fix this matter, " he said after a little consideration. "I owe you lads something anyhow, and this is a good time to pay thedebt. "

Hocker was as good as his word. He walked over to the boat and surprisedJeffries by saying in a grave tone, "Look here, old man; I've sorterveered round on this thing. Now that I've got Moxley safe and sound Idon't intend to prosecute the other chap. I reckon what he says is true, an' you know yourself what he did fur us to-night--more than you or mewould have done. He deserves to go free. "

"Well, if you're determined not to make a charge, why that settles it, "replied Jeffries a little stiffly. "I have nothing agin him personally, and I hope he'll take warning by this affair and keep out of badcompany. "

He turned around and quickly removed Bug's handcuffs. 

"You're a free man now, " he said. "See that you stay free and justifythe clemency of the law by leadin' a respectable life in future. "

Bug was dazed at first by the unexpected transition from despair tohope. He stammered out a few inarticulate words of gratitude to Hockerand Jeffries and then approached Ned. 

"This is your doin', " he said brokenly. "You saved me from goin' tojail. I shan't forget it--" He choked and broke off short. 

Ned drew him down the wasteway to a little clump of bushes, out ofearshot of the others. 

"Bug, " he said earnestly, "if you are really grateful to me for savingyou from a term in prison, I'll tell you how you can prove it. Yourbrother told me the whole story of your life, and what a shadow it hascast on your home. You are breaking your mother's heart, and even yourfather feels the disgrace keenly, and would welcome you back if you cameprepared to lead a different life. Go home, Bug, and make them allhappy. You will never regret it if you do. You are not bad at heart, Iknow, and evil company has been the cause of all your trouble. LetMoxley's fate be a warning to you. Turn over a new leaf from to-night. Will you do it, Bug? Will you go straight home and lead an honest, respectable life?"

Tears were standing in Bug's eyes, and he brushed them away with hiscoat sleeve. 

"I'll do it, " he said in a firm, but husky voice. "I've been wantin' togo home fur a long time, but I didn't dare to. I'm sick enough of livin'in this way, an' what you've done an' said to-night will make adifferent man of me. I mean it all, and I'll stick to it. I'll do nomore lyin' or stealin', and I'll keep away from bad company. I'll stayat home and work. Here's my fist on it. "

Ned warmly shook the proffered hand, and then both went slowly back tothe boat. 

Bug's appearance was the signal for a most outrageous burst ofprofanity and threats from Moxley, and when Jeffries had finally subduedthe ruffian by strong measures, the whole party crossed the wasteway, and moved up to the farmhouse, which was half a mile distant. 

Mrs. Zinn spread a huge table with all sorts of tempting food, and thestarved boys attacked it with a vigor that made her open her eyes inamazement. The others were almost as hungry after all they had gonethrough that night, and did ample justice to the viands. Moxley'sbracelets were taken off and he was allowed to eat his fill with therest. 

It was four o'clock on Saturday morning before the tired crowd got tosleep. The four boys were given a room containing two large beds, andthe adjoining apartment was occupied by Hocker and Jeffries, and theirprisoner. Bug was accommodated with a cushioned settee in the kitchen. 

The boys woke up, refreshed in mind and body, about three o'clock in theafternoon. They came down stairs just in time to see Hocker and Jeffriesdrive away in a buggy with the sullen faced prisoner between them. Hocker had made arrangements with the farmer to take the boat back tothe cabin in a wagon. 

Moxley had been compelled to disgorge his plunder, and the boys werehighly gratified when Jeffries handed over the watches and money thetramp had so coolly taken from them. 

Half an hour after the trio had departed for Carlisle jail Bug took anearnest farewell of the boys, and struck across the country in a beeline for his home at the Gap. His last word to Ned was a renewal of thepromise to stay at home and lead an honest life, and Ned sincerelybelieved that he meant it. 

"That load of salt I put into Moxley's legs turned out for the bestafter all, " said Randy in a roguish tone. "If I hadn't pulled triggerthat night Bug Batters would still be treading the path of wickedness, with no hope of a reformation. "

"Your foolishness had one good result, I'll admit, " replied Ned. "Butdon't try the experiment again. It's too costly. "

The boys tacitly agreed with Ned. Even Bug's conversion was rather ahigh price to pay for the fright and indignities they had endured at thehands of Mr. Dude Moxley. They remembered also that the burning of themill was indirectly due to Randy's foolish shot. 

The certain prospect of the insurance money effectively silenced anyresentment that Mr. Zinn might otherwise have felt toward the boys. Hewarmly invited them to stay over Sunday, and the invitation was promptlyaccepted. They went down after supper to examine the canoes, and allowedthem to remain where they were on the farmer's assurance that nothingcould happen to them. The grain bag containing the greater part of thebaggage had been taken up the house the night before. The tin boxes hadperished in the flames, but this was a trifling loss, and did nottrouble the boys much in the light of what might have been. 

Sunday was a day of peaceful enjoyment after the turbulent events of thepast week. 

"Three square meals were not to be sneezed at, " as Randy irreverentlyexpressed it; and not the least pleasing incident of the day was thefive mile drive to a country church with the farmer's family, on whichoccasion Nugget braved the ridicule of his companions, and proudly worehis linen shirt and piqué vest. 

Monday morning dawned clear as a whistle, and after a hearty breakfastthe boys trudged down to the creek laden with all manner of countryproduce, for which the good natured farmer would accept only a beggarlyrecompense. 

Half an hour later the gold and crimson pennant fluttered proudly in thebreeze as it led the Jolly Rovers down the swift and turbid channel--forthe creek was still a few feet above low water mark. 

CHAPTER XXIX

RANDY GOES SAILING

Monday and Tuesday of that week were rather uneventful days. The boyspaddled steadily, and with the aid of the rapid current covered a goodmany miles. 

On both evenings they found suitable camping places, and had someexcellent sport fishing for catfish and eels by night. 

The creek was almost at its normal level now, but Wednesday morningdawned amid conditions that promised a speedy repetition of the highwater. The sky was hidden by murky gray clouds that hung far down towardthe earth. So thick were they that no mist that blurred the hills andthe windings of the faintest glimmer of the sun could peep through. Acreek was in the air, and the east wind had a keen, biting touch thatwas more in harmony with November than July. 

Some discussion ensued at first on the question of breaking camp undersuch circumstances, but it was finally decided in the affirmative. 

"This place won't shelter us very well if a heavy rain comes on, " saidNed. "The chances are that it won't rain before afternoon or night, sowe had better make the most of what time we have by choosing a betterspot. "

The value of Ned's advice had been tested on many previous occasions, sopreparations to start were hastily commenced. This was about eighto'clock in the morning, after breakfast had been eaten and the dishescleared away. 

Randy was the first one up that morning, and much to the mystificationof his companions he had been working since daybreak in a thicket ofyoung timber not far behind the camp. Just as the tent was being rolledup he made his appearance with a lurking smile on his face, and underhis arm a bundle that resembled a red flannel seine wrapped tightly onits sticks. 

"Hullo, Randy, what have you there?" queried Nugget. 

"What is it?" exclaimed Clay, in a tone that implied some doubt as towhether he referred to Randy or the object under his arm. 

But Randy was not disposed to be communicative just then. 

"You'll know what it is in good time, " he replied, and then turning toNed he asked: "Can I have one of the tent poles?"

"What do you want with it?" demanded Ned. "Has it anything to do withthat piece of tomfoolery?"

"Yes, it has, " replied Randy aggressively. "That piece of tomfoolery, as you call it, is a sail. I'll make you fellows open your eyes after awhile. "

"I don't doubt it, " exclaimed Ned laughingly, "There will be lots ofsport in watching you try to sail on a stream like this. And what asail, too! Why, it's made out of a red blanket! What put the notion intoyour head, Randy?"

"Oh, you can make all the fun of it, you please, " replied Randy; "you'llall wish you had one like it after a while. Just look at that breezeblowing straight down the creek. In an hour from now it will be twice asstrong, and then I'll leave you fellows so far behind that you can'tovertake me in a week. "

"It doesn't occur to him that the creek changes its course about everyhalf mile, " reflected Ned as he resumed his work. "If he tries the thingon he'll come to grief. "

Randy was troubled by no such misgivings. He appropriated one of thejointed tent poles and lashed it on the fore deck of his canoe besidethe queer looking sail. The Water Sprite, it may be said, had been builtwith a view to sailing, and it contained a mast hole and block justforward of the cockpit. 

Not until the Jolly Rovers had been afloat an hour or two did Randy'sopportunity come, for during that time the channel was one succession ofshort, jerky curves that encountered the wind every which way. But hispatience was finally rewarded by a clear half mile stretch of water, licked into tiny undulations by a crisp down breeze. 

Randy discreetly grounded the canoe on a little grass bar in mid-channel, and proceeded to rig up. His sail was merely a light weight blanket witheach of its narrow ends sewed to a trimmed sapling--just like a banner, in fact. He attached this to his improvised mast, fastened each endsecurely, and drove the latter into the mast hole. 

The Water Sprite was quite transformed by the addition. It presented aquaint, foreign appearance, for the high square sail was exactly likethat of a Chinese junk, while its flaming red color was irresistiblysuggestive of the craft that ply in Venetian lagoons. 

So Randy thought, anyhow, and he was more than pleased with hishandiwork. He applied the finishing touches by tying a cord to eachlower corner of the sail, and by this device he proudly hoped to controlthe movements of the canoe. 

Randy was considerably overestimating his skill as a sailing master, butno one could have made him believe it at the time. He proudly seatedhimself, and with a shove of the paddle freed the canoe from the bar. 

The breeze quickly bulged out the thirty square feet of sail, and awaywent the Water Sprite like a Chinese pirate in chase of booty. It gainedspeed with every instant, and swept by the sluggish little fleet ofcanoes under full pressure. 

Randy turned around to laugh and wave his hand. He had to admit tohimself that he was very glad the boys were now in the rear, for thesail hung so low that he could see no further than the prow of hiscanoe. Still more disconcerting was the fact that the cords wereuseless, since the least jerk to right or left threatened to capsize thecanoe instantly. 

"I must keep a sharp eye on the shores if I want to stay in mid-channel, "thought Randy. "I'm good for half a mile of this, anyhow, before thewind changes. "

But his calculation did not embrace any possible obstructions that mightlie in the way, and Randy was considerably surprised to find himselfgrounded on a ledge of rocks before five minutes had passed. It was hardwork to get the canoe free, and just as he succeeded the boys caught upwith him. 

"Better take the sail down now, " suggested Ned. "You'll surely run intosomething if you don't. "

"No danger, " laughed Randy. "I'll stop before I get to the curve. Thisis great sport. You fellows just ought to try it. "

He sent the Water Sprite off again by a touch of his paddle and skimmedswiftly away from his half envious companions, leaving a trail of foambehind him. 

It was aggravating to be thus outstrippped and the boys started topaddle with all their might. For a little while they actually seemed togain on Randy, but a lively puff of wind came down the creek, and theWater Sprite took a spurt that made the chase hopeless. 

The wind had veered a slight degree, and without knowing it Randy wasnow paddling straight for a bushy point of land that jutted out from theleft shore exactly where the channel made its abrupt bend. Just belowthis little promontory, and in midstream, was anchored a long, squarelybuilt flatboat. 

It had three occupants. On a low stool in the very center sat atremendously stout man in a blue flannel shirt and wide brimmed strawhat. Beside him was a lean, scrawny man sitting on an upturned bucket. The other end of the boat was occupied by a yellow dog, whose eyes werefixed with intent longing on a lunch basket a few feet distant. 

The big fat man held in one hand a light, slender fishing rod, while thelittle lean man supported on his knees a twenty foot pole that lookedlike a young tree denuded of its branches. Both were waiting patientlyfor a bite--as was also the dog--and under the circumstances it did notoccur to them to look around. 

Meanwhile the Water Sprite swept onward to the jutting point of land, and missed it by little more than a hair's breadth, just as Randy turnedpale with the sudden discovery of his danger. He breathed easier as thecanoe passed swiftly on toward mid-channel. He could see nothing ahead, and was therefore blissfully ignorant of the obstruction that now lay inhis path. 

Just at this moment the three boys, coming on behind, caught a glimpseof the anchored boat and were quick to grasp the situation. 

"Look out, Randy!" cried Ned at the top of his voice. "Danger ahead!Paddle to the right, quick!"

Randy turned around and looked stupidly at his companions for aninstant. Then he seized the paddle and tried hard to follow Ned'sadvice. Too late! The Water Sprite was forging ahead now under fullpressure, and was not to be diverted from its course. 

The two occupants of the boat had heard Ned's warning cry withoutcatching the words, but they did not turn around because each happenedto have a bite at that moment. 

Then the little man jerked out a plump catfish, and as he reached forthe line, which had swung behind him, he saw the flaming red saillooming almost overhead. He had barely time to spring to his feet andutter a terrific yell, when the collision came. 

The shock tossed the fat man off the stool and threw him across the edgeof the boat. As the little man was knocked down at the same instant, theone sided pressure naturally caused the boat to tip, and over it went, throwing fishermen, dog, and all into the water. 

CHAPTER XXX

A NIGHT ALARM

By that strange destiny which oftentimes frowns on the good and lends ahelping hand to the evil, Randy experienced no very disastrous resultsfrom the collision. The canoe rebounded a few feet, and the sail fellfrom the mastpole into the water. 

He was terribly shaken up, it is true, but far greater was the shockwhen he realized what he had done. At first nothing was visible but theupturned boat and a yellow dog paddling on all fours for the nearestbank. 

It was manifestly impossible that the dog could have been the onlyoccupant of the boat, and besides Randy had heard a shrill cry justbefore the collision. He was much relieved therefore when a head shotabove the water a few feet below the boat. 

This belonged to the little man, and an instant later his fat companioncame to the surface. The latter had lost his hat, and the top of hishead was as white and shiny as a billiard ball. 

The little man sounded for bottom, and not finding it, swam vigorouslyfor shore. The fat man tried the same experiment, and being a good headand a half taller than his companion, obtained footing at a depth whichbrought the water almost to his chin. Having thus strengthened hisposition, he spat the water from his mouth and turned his head around tosee what occult power was responsible for his misfortune. 

When he saw Randy quietly sitting in the canoe a few yards above hisface purpled with rage. 

"You'll pay for this outrage, " he stuttered hoarsely. "I'll beat youblack and blue when I get hold of you. I'll give you six months in thecounty jail at hard labor, you brainless young ruffian--you audaciouswooden headed idiot, you--"

Just then the angry gentleman's string of epithets was cut short in asummary manner, for the wet folds of the blanket sail, which had somehowmanaged to drift around the corner of the boat, slapped him on themouth, and the unexpected shock caused him to lose his balance and slipunder water. 

Such an opportunity was not to be neglected, and with quick, furiousstrokes Randy paddled around the upturned boat and headed down stream, bent on escaping the promised chastisement. 

The fat man came up directly beneath the sail, and consequently had togo under for a second attempt. This time he was all right, and themoment his head was out of water and his feet planted on the bottom hecaught sight of Randy, who was just gliding by at a distance of half adozen feet. 

"Stop, you rascal, stop!" he yelled hoarsely. 

Randy did not obey; he only paddled the faster. 

The irascible old fellow glared at him in helpless rage for a second, and then his face lit up with an awful smile as he saw the big fishingpole floating on the water within reach. The line was fastened in someway to the boat. 

It was the work of an instant to snatch the pole and tear it free. Thenlifting it overhead the man made a furious stroke at the rapidlyreceding canoe. 

Whisk! whisk! came the elastic end with stinging force against Randy'sback and shoulders. Maddened by the pain he partially rose and leanedforward. At the second blow he reeled to one side, stumbled against thecombing, and went out of the canoe backward without upsetting it. 

His enemy was by no means satisfied with what punishment he had alreadyinflicted. He dropped the pole, and made haste to join the little manand yellow dog on the bank. 

"Ebenezer, " he cried angrily, "pursue that young rascal. Chase him downthe creek. If you catch him I'll give you a five dollar bill. "

More from fear of disobeying than from any hope of earning the reward, the little man started off on a run with the yellow dog at his heels. 

Just at this moment Ned and his companions reached the scene of thedisaster. The fat man stopped wringing the water from his trousers toshake his fist at them. 

"You're all alike, " he growled, "all alike! I never saw a boy thatwasn't a born reprobate. I wish I had you out on shore; I'd teach you alesson. "

Ned tried to explain that the upsetting of the boat was a pure accident, but the angry man refused to hear him. 

"Don't tell me, " he muttered, "I know better. "

Realizing that further argument would be futile, the boys made whatamends they could by chasing the two fishing rods and the hat, and thenlifting the anchors of the boat and pushing it to shore. 

The fat man acknowledged these favors with a surly nod of his head, andso threatening was his manner that the boys hastily retreated from thebank, and paddled down stream, stopping on the way to recover the sail. 

Meanwhile Randy had quietly swum down the creek some distance, pushingthe canoe ahead of him, and landed on the left shore. The boys could seehim plainly as he stood on a rock wringing the water from his clothes. 

Having no inclination to swim the creek, Ebenezer had given up the chaseand was now returning along the right bank. When he came opposite theboys Ned called out:

"Say, tell me who that stout gentleman is, will you?"

The little man hesitated before replying. "That's Judge Gibson, ofCarlisle, " he said finally in a very impressive tone. "You fellers maybe glad you ain't sittin' afore him in the dock this minute--especiallythat chap down yonder. O, my! wouldn't you get salty sentences though!"

A loud summons from the judge started the little man off in a hurry, andthe conversation came to an abrupt ending. 

The boys soon joined Randy, and finding him in a decidedly bad temper, they made as little allusion as possible to what had occurred. It wasevident from the way he shrugged his shoulders that the blows of thefishing pole had left a good deal of a sting. 

Not knowing what might be expected of Judge Gibson, the boys concludedto be on the safe side, and as soon as Randy had changed his clothesthey paddled away from the vicinity. 

About one o'clock a halt was made for lunch, and as the air wasdisagreeably damp and cutting, Ned boiled a pot of coffee. 

The cruise was resumed an hour later, and during the afternoon a closewatch was kept for suitable camping places. The indications all presagedbad weather, and there was no doubt that rain would set in bymorning--if not sooner. 

About four o'clock a camping ground was discovered that met with generalapproval--a sheltered spot amid great pine trees on the right bank. Inthe rear was a steep hill, and a limestone spring was convenientlyclose. 

The boys spent just one solid hour in arranging things to theirsatisfaction, for their stay was likely to be a protracted one, andthey wanted everything snug and comfortable before the rain came. 

The tent was staked with more than ordinary care, and then a ditch wasdug around all four sides and the dirt thrown on the edges of thecanvas. A stone fireplace was built between two trees and within easyreach of the tent door. 

A layer of fragrant pine boughs was spread on the floor of the tent, andboth front corners were piled with firewood. The arrangements werecompleted by dragging the canoes to the top of the bank and removing allthat they contained. 

"That is what I call snug, " said Randy complacently. "I won't mindstaying here two or three days. How are we fixed for provisions?"

"Bread will run short to-morrow, but we have plenty of everything else, "replied Ned. "No doubt there are farm houses near. "

This satisfactory report encouraged the boys to prepare a more thanusually sumptuous supper. They washed the dishes by firelight, and justas the last one was dried the rain began to fall--at first in patteringdrops, then in a steady, persistent sheet. 

A great log was thrown on the fire, and after a short chat in its warmglow the boys drew the tent flaps, and were soon sleeping soundly on thesoft pine boughs. 

Some time in the night Ned awoke, and feeling thirsty sat up and reachedfor the pail of water and tin cup which were always kept just outsidethe tent door. 

He took a drink and was in the act of putting the cup down when he hearddistinct footsteps outside. They passed the tent and went on toward thecreek. Whoever the nocturnal stroller might be he was taking no pains toconceal his presence. 

"Say Ned, is that you?" came in a startled whisper from the rear of thetent. 

Ned recognized Randy's voice. 

"Are _you_ awake?" he exclaimed in surprise. "Don't make any noise. Someone is walking about outside. "

"I know it, " replied Randy. "That's what wakened me. My gun is missing. I had it right beside me, and now it's gone. "

"By Jove! this looks serious, " muttered Ned. "Wait a moment, " he added. "I'll take a peep outside. It's pitch dark and I can't be seen. "

He quickly lifted one flap of the tent and crawled under. A few secondspassed--full of terrible suspense to Randy--and then came a clatteringnoise followed by a brief red flash and a stunning report. 

CHAPTER XXXI

STORMY WEATHER

It was Ned's intention, when he crawled out of the tent, to dodge behindthe nearest tree, where he could see without being seen. But as he roseto his feet a dark figure suddenly obscured the faint embers of thefire, and a second later came the fall and the report which struck sucha terror to Randy's heart as he waited in the darkness of the tent. 

Ned understood the situation instantly. The unknown prowler had stumbledover the fireplace in his retreat, and the stolen gun had been explodedby striking the stones. 

For two or three seconds there was nothing to indicate that the thiefhad been hit by the charge. Then a shrill yell rang through the woodsand another and another in rapid succession. 

"Randy! Randy! Come out here!" shouted Ned in a terrified voice. "Lightthe lantern and waken the boys. "

The next instant Randy burst through the flaps. 

"Here is the lantern, " he gasped. "I have no matches. Good gracious! butyou scared me. I thought you were shot. "

"_I'm_ not, but I fear some one else is, " replied Ned as he hastilystruck a match and applied it to the wick of the lantern. 

That instant Clay hurried out of the tent, and the three boys advancedtimidly to the fireplace. The supposed robber had ceased his outcry, andwas propped in an upright position against a heap of stones. Ned turnedthe lantern on his face and staggered back with a cry of amazement. 

"_Why, it's Nugget!_" he exclaimed. "What under the sun does this mean?"

It was indeed Nugget, and he looked the very picture of fright as herolled his eyes wildly from one to the other of his friends. It wasseveral seconds before he could speak. 

"Where am I?" he gasped. "Who put me out here in the rain? I thought Iheard a gun go off. "

He was evidently not injured--the position of the gun proved that--andthe boys began to appreciate the ludicrous side of the situation. 

"You've been walking in your sleep, " exclaimed Ned, as a sudden lightbroke on his mind. "I'll bet a dollar that's just it. Did you ever dosuch a thing before, Nugget?"

Nugget hesitated and passed his hand over his forehead. 

"Yes, " he said reflectively; "I used to walk in my sleep sometimes, butthat was long ago. I thought the habit was broken. "

"Don't you remember anything about this affair?" resumed Ned. "You musthave taken Randy's gun and left the tent without waking us. "

"Yes; I have a sort of recollection of it, " answered Nugget sheepishly. "I guess I must have been dreaming. I thought I was in Central Park athome, and the animals broke out of the menagerie. I had a gun in myhand, and when a big lion ran after me I ran away. Then I fell over abench and the gun went off--and--and I don't think I remember any more. It was an awful dream. I thought the lion would eat me up. "

This story was more than the boys could stand. They laughed so long andheartily that Nugget recovered from his scare and got angry instead. 

"You fellows would laugh the other way if that gun had been pointedtoward the tent when it went off, " he said sullenly; "and besides thereis no fun in having such a dream. "

"Nugget is right, " exclaimed Ned. "The affair is too serious forridicule. It's almost a miracle he was not shot. And by the way, Randy, I've told you often not to keep that gun loaded. Think what might havehappened to-night in consequence of your folly. "

Randy looked penitent, and for a wonder accepted the rebuke quietly. 

"I forgot, Ned, indeed I did, " he said earnestly. "I put a shell in forsnipe this afternoon, and never thought about it again. After this I'llexamine the gun every night. "

"If it was accidental that alters the case, " replied Ned. "And nowsuppose we turn in. There is no use in standing here in the rain anylonger. "

The boys went back to the tent, and to prevent a second attempt atsleep-walking they made Nugget take the middle place. Five minutes laterall were sleeping as soundly as before the alarm. 

The next morning it was raining hard, and in fact it continued to rainat intervals all of that day and the next. The boys found the time hanga little heavy, although they sallied out in rubber coats, and had someexcellent sport fishing for catfish. 

Cooking was not interfered with, since the fireplace was in a shelteredposition, and the tent was at all times snug and waterproof, in spite ofsome of the heaviest showers that the boys had ever known. 

Rain was still falling at daybreak on Saturday, but about ten o'clockthe sky cleared, and the sun came out--greatly to the delight of theJolly Rovers. 

As the next day was Sunday, and the camp was in such a good location, they decided to remain until Monday morning. This turned out to be awise decision, for shortly after dinner a thunder storm swept down thevalley, and for several hours the rain fell in torrents. By evening nota cloud was in sight, and indications pointed to a spell of clearweather. 

Of course the creek was by this time very high and muddy, and was stillon the rise. The water had crept three feet up the slope on top of whichthe tent was pitched, but as three feet more remained to be covered theboys felt no uneasiness. 

There was still higher ground behind them on which they could takerefuge if the necessity came. 

After supper Ned got out his map, and began to study it with great care. 

"Has it occurred to any of you fellows that we are drawing near home?"he asked finally. "We passed Honck's dam on Wednesday afternoon, and ourpresent camp is very near Sporting Green. There are only four more damsbetween us and the Susquehanna, and the distance can't be much overthirty miles. "

The others were rather surprised to hear this, and could not make uptheir minds at first whether to be glad or sorry. 

"I can hardly realize it, " said Randy. "The time has certainly slippedby very quickly, and yet it was three weeks yesterday since we started. "

"I hate to think that the cruise is nearly over, " remarked Clay, "butall the same it will be nice to get home again. "

Ned laughed as he folded up the map and put it in his pocket. 

"I know just how you feel, " he said. "It will be very nice to sleep in asoft bed, and eat off a table again, and sit out on the boathouse porchin the evenings; but about a week after you get home you'll wish withall your heart you were back on the creek with the grass for a bed and arock for a table. Canoeing is like ice cream--when you once taste ityou are always wanting more. It reminds me of what I read about a famousAfrican explorer. He was always glad to get back to civilization for alittle while, and then he was more anxious than ever to return to hiswild life. It seemed as though he couldn't breathe right anywhere but inAfrica. "

"I hope canoeing _is_ like that, " said Randy. "Then we will make lotsmore trips together. I feel just as you do about it, Ned. I don't liketo see the cruise end, but it will be very nice in some ways to gethome. Won't the other boys be envious when they see how sunburnt we are, and hear all about the exciting adventures we have had?"

"When will we reach the end of the creek?" asked Nugget with a rapturousexpression. "Monday?"

"Hardly, " replied Ned. "It will take longer than that. But why are youso anxious to get home, Nugget?"

"He wants to put on a suit of cream colored clothes, " exclaimed Claywith mock gravity, "and a boiled shirt and high collar. He is longing toencase his lily white hands in kid gloves, and his dainty feet in patentleathers. "

As Nugget blushed an angry red, and made no reply, it is to be presumedthat Clay's remark contained more truth than fiction. 

"You fellows are all counting your chickens too soon, " said Ned. "A goodmany miles separate us from home, and as likely as not there are morerough times in store for us. "

Lightly spoken and lightly meant were these words, but Ned recalled themunder thrilling circumstances a day or two later. 

All day Sunday the creek continued to rise slowly until it was just afoot from the top of the bank. It was stationary at nine o'clock in theevening, and when it began to fall two hours later the boys turned in, satisfied that the danger was over. 

The water receded a foot and a half during the night, but when Mondaymorning dawned with a clear sky the flood was still a sight to behold asit rolled swiftly by the camp, its smooth yellow surface dotted withtangled grasses and driftwood. 

As far as the boys could see was high and hilly land, but there was nodoubt that the lowlands were inundated far on each side of the creek. The rains had been unusually heavy. 

CHAPTER XXXII

THE BROKEN DAM

By nine o'clock the Jolly Rovers were afloat--adrift would be a betterword, since the swift current made the paddles unnecessary, except for aguiding touch now and then. It did not occur to the boys to delay theirdeparture on account of the flood. They were tired of the camping place, and moreover the high water would likely be a help rather than ahindrance. 

They found it keenly exhilarating to lean lazily back in their canoesand be carried at a whirling pace around bend after bend. There was justenough danger from submerged islands and reefs, and floating _débris_, to add spice to the enjoyment. 

Here and there, where the creek passed through low country, the fieldswere inundated, and only the tops of the fences could be seen above thewater. 

A mile or two below camp a sudden sweep of the channel brought into viewa red wooden bridge. The creek, being wide at this point, the bridge wassupported in the center by a narrow, squarely built pier. 

As the boys came closer they saw that the pier had been shattered bysome terrific power. The whole face of it was torn away, and the frailportion that remained seemed in danger of being carried off by theyellow flood that was surging against it. Two men had climbed down froman opening in the bridge, and were busy among the loose stones, evidently trying to fit them into place again. From the left shore alittle knot of people was watching the operation. 

Naturally the boys were curious to know what it meant, and when theydrew near they slackened the speed of the canoes by backing watervigorously with their paddles. 

"Did the flood do all that damage?" asked Ned. 

"No, " answered one of the men, stopping work to look up, "the ice did itlast winter, and the commissioners neglected to have it repaired. Apretty bill they're likely to have to pay for their carelessness. It'stoo late to do anything now. "

"That's so, " assented the other man; "we may as well stop work and getout of this. "

"But what danger are you afraid of now?" resumed Ned. "The pier hasstood the worst of the flood and the water is going down. "

The first speaker jerked his finger up the creek. "They say that Honck'sdam is liable to break at any minute, " he answered slowly. "It's amighty old dam, and has been threatenin' to give 'way fur the last tenyears. It's a big high one, too, and has a heap of timber in it. Just assurely as that mass of stuff comes down the creek with a volume ofwater behind it, this pier will go to pieces and down will come thebridge. "

"Do you really think the dam will break?" asked Ned. 

"It's ten to one, " was the reply. "They say the edges are giving waynow. You fellows had better get off the creek afore it's too late. Themcockleshell boats won't stand much. "

With this warning the speaker climbed up the pier, followed by hiscompanion, and both disappeared in the bridge. The boys lifted theirpaddles from the water and went swiftly on with the current for the timebeing. 

"These rustics have exaggerated the danger, I'll bet anything, " saidRandy. "If Honck's dam was going to break it would not have waited untilthe flood was half way down. "

"I don't know about that, " replied Ned. "The danger may be very real. "

He had given the dam some attention while the canoes were being carriedaround it on the previous Wednesday, and he now remembered with secretuneasiness that it was very high and rotten, and held in check a vastvolume of water. Terrible would be the consequences if this weresuddenly to be freed. 

"What are we going to do?" asked Nugget uneasily. 

"That man warned us to leave the creek, and he knew what he was talkingabout. "

"We can't very well take his advice now, " replied Ned, "for there is nolanding place in sight. "

"There is no use in stopping at all, " exclaimed Randy, "if the object isto wait for the dam to break. We might be detained for a week, and thenfind that the dam was as strong as ever. And besides we could hear thenoise in time to get out of the way. All we need to do is keep our earsopen and look behind from time to time. "

"Even if the dam should break the chances are that with such a currentas this we could keep ahead of the flood, " suggested Clay. "Don't youthink so, Ned?"

"I'm afraid that's doubtful, " replied. Ned. "At all events I don't thinkI should care to run a race with the flood even on a start of half adozen miles. For the present we had better follow Randy's advice andkeep our eyes and ears open. If we find a suitable place I am in favorof stopping for an hour or two. We are too near home to risk disaster. "

This arrangement was satisfactory to all except Nugget, and he made nooutward remonstrance. 

For the next two hours all went well, and mile after mile was swiftlytraversed. The boys kept in mid-channel so as to reap the fullestadvantage from the current. 

They looked back from time to time, but neither saw nor heard anythingalarming. The smooth yellow flood glided between the wooded banks withscarcely a murmur. 

About midday the creek turned a sharp angle, and headed due north in astraight course of fully half a mile. Beyond the steep hills thatterminated this stretch the boys could see the distant blue line of themountains. 

The fears of the morning had vanished, and all were in buoyant spirits. The home-coming loomed brightly before them now, for with such a currentthe Susquehanna would soon be reached. 

On the left hand side of the creek stretched a sloping hill, wooded fora distance of two or three hundred yards as it receded from the water, and then merging into open fields. On the right was a rugged cliff fullof limestone rocks and scrawly pine trees. 

The boys did not pay much attention to their surroundings, but when theywere nearly half way to the bend, Randy happened to glance toward theleft, and on the very crest of the hill, a good quarter of a mile fromthe water, he saw a little white farmhouse. 

There was nothing in this to attract his attention, but as his gazelingered he saw a man come out on the porch and glance up the creek, shading his eyes with his hand. Then he turned toward the house, and aninstant later two women and another man appeared and looked in the samedirection. 

This was growing interesting, and Randy called the attention of hiscompanions to the farmhouse. What happened next was stranger still. Thelittle group on the porch suddenly caught sight of the canoes far belowthem, and one of the men darted quickly into the house. He reappeared asecond or two later with a shiny object in his hand, and placing it tohis mouth he blew a shrill discordant blast that echoed far over thehills. 

He repeated this twice, and then all of the group began to shout andwave their hands. 

The boys glanced at one another in amazement. What was the meaning ofsuch an idiotic performance?

Suddenly Ned turned pale. 

"Great Scott!" he exclaimed. "The dam must have broken, and those peoplecan see the flood somewhere up the creek. They are warning us to get outof the way. "

The boys instinctively turned to look behind, but the first glancerevealed no cause for alarm. 

"All right so far, " cried Randy. "The current seems to be gettingswifter though, and I actually believe the water is rising. "

He had hardly spoken when Ned uttered a startled cry. "Look! look! thereit comes!"

Around the sharp curve above swept a sloping volume of water, yellowwith mud and foam, black with timber and uprooted trees. It came on witha rush and a swelling roar, and as the frightened boys watched it withterrible fascination, a section of a wooden bridge painted red hove insight. 

The imminence of the danger drove the Jolly Rovers into a helplesspanic. Even Ned was frightened out of his self possession. 

The right shore was the nearest, and the boys paddled for it withfurious strokes, not remembering for an instant that it offered theleast chance of safety. The swift current whirled the canoes down streamfor nearly a hundred yards before it would suffer them to glide into thecalmer waters along the bank. 

Randy and Clay, being on the outer side, had more to overcome, and wereswept beyond their companions. Ned and Nugget drifted against aprecipitous wall of rock that rose twenty feet before its surface wasbroken by the tree or brush. 

They looked hopelessly around them, vainly seeking a chance of escape, while louder and louder in their ears sounded the hissing roar of theoncoming flood. At the base of the cliff the water was already boilingand tossing. 

CHAPTER XXXIII

AN UNDERGROUND CRUISE

"Paddle on, quick!" cried Ned in an agony of fear. "We may reach a breakin the cliff. "

Nugget, who was half a canoe's length in advance had sufficientlypresence of mind to obey. He paddled off with desperate strokes, and Nedcrowded him closely. 

A few yards down stream the wall of rock jutted out slightly and thenreceded. As the canoes rounded this a great heaving wave--the vanguardof the flood--tossed them high on its crest and cast them, like a stonefrom a catapult, straight toward a black, semi-circular hole in the baseof the cliff. A furious current swept in the same direction, and evenhad the boys realized the nature of this new peril they could have donenothing to help themselves. 

Nugget dropped his paddle with a cry of terror and clutched the combing. The next instant he shot into the gaping hole, scraping his cap from hishead by contact with the top, and disappeared from view. 

Ned was dazed by what he had just witnessed, and his turn came before herealized it. He had hardly time to twist his paddle around longwise andduck his head when the current sucked him under the cliff. He heard aquick, grating noise, and then the dim gleam of light faded, leaving himin utter darkness. 

The canoe pitched and tossed dizzily, and by the cold air that surged onhis face, and the spray that spattered him, Ned knew that he was movingat rapid speed. Suddenly a cry rang in his ears with the sharpness of apistol shot and reverberated through the cavern. An instant later hefelt a violent concussion on the right, and reaching out his hand hetouched the combing of Nugget's canoe. 

He clung to it with all his might and managed to keep the two canoesside by side as the current whirled them on through the darkness. 

Nugget was not aware of this at first, for he uttered another piercingcry for help. It was impossible to carry on any conversation owing tothe confused booming noise made by the water, but Ned leaned to one sideand shouted at the top of his voice: "Cheer up, Nugget. I'm here besideyou. We'll find a way out of this. "

Nugget must have heard and understood, for he was silent after that. 

It was characteristic of Ned to cheer his companion. He was thoroughlyunselfish, and was always more concerned about others than himself. Inthis case his consoling words meant nothing. He was still dazed by theoverwhelming calamity that had befallen him, and had not begun torealize its extent. 

He remembered the lantern that was in the forward hatch and the matchsafe in his pocket, but the former was out of reach and the latter wason his right side. He could not get it with his left hand, and he wasafraid to trust the holding of the canoes to Nugget. So a light was outof the question at the present time. 

The painful suspense of the next few minutes made them seem like hours. The canoes whirled on and on with a dizzy swaying motion, but not thefaintest ray of light broke the intensity of the darkness. 

Ned cautiously thrust his paddle out to the left, and it strucksomething hard with a ringing noise. He did not repeat the experimentfor fear of upsetting. 

All at once the roar of the water seemed to deepen, and the canoessettled into a swift, steady rush that made the air fairly sing aboutNed's ears. What followed was never very clear to him afterward. Heremembered a dash of icy spray in his face, and then a terriblecollision that landed him somewhere on his hands and knees. 

He was stunned and dizzy for a little while, and when finally hestaggered to his feet his first thought was of Nugget. He called him byname, and a hollow groan was the only reply. Even that was better thansilence, and with a trembling hand Ned drew out his match box and strucka light. 

Both canoes lay upset at his feet, and between them was Nugget leaningon his elbows with a very dazed expression on his face. 

Three more matches enabled Ned to right the Pioneer, procure hislantern, and light it. Then, seeing that Nugget was uninjured, hescrutinized his surroundings more closely. 

He understood at once what had happened. The underground stream made asharp curve at this point, and the force of the current had thrown thecanoes far out on a sandy beach. From above, the yellow flood cameroaring and tossing through a passage some twenty feet wide, and nearlythe same in height. Below the angle it plunged on under the sameconditions. 

The beach was about ten yards long, and sloped back half that distanceto a slimy wall of rock. On the opposite side of the stream the wallfell sheer into the water, and overhead was a jagged roof that glitteredand sparkled in the rays of the lantern. 

Ned formed his own conclusions as to the nature of the place, and theywere not entirely unfavorable, for the speed and impetuosity of themuddy stream had given him a good deal to think about. He dismissed hisreflections until a more favorable time, and placing the lantern on thesand turned to Nugget, who was in a pitiable state of fright. 

"Are you hurt any, old fellow?" asked Ned, "or only a little stunned?"

"Oh, I don't know, I don't know, " moaned Nugget. "What awful place arewe in, Ned? It seems like a dream. I hardly remember what happened. Andwhere are Clay and Randy?"

"I hope they are safe, " replied Ned evasively. "In fact, I really thinkthey are, Nugget. They landed some distance below us, and no doubt founda place to climb out before the flood caught them. "

"And what happened to us, Ned? Didn't the current drag us into a hole inthe cliff?"

"Yes, " said Ned, "that's it exactly, and we are now in an undergroundcavern. Don't be alarmed, " he added quickly, noting the sudden pallor onhis companion's face, "our situation is not so terrible after all. Caverns of this sort are always found among limestone hills, and theyusually have two outlets. This one is no exception to the rule, and I'lltell you why I think so. In the first place you must remember that thecreek was nearly four feet high before that dam broke. The extra volumeof water is what makes this terrific current through the cavern and thevery fact that the water goes on through without damming up proves to methat it has an outlet. 

"When the creek is at its normal level I don't believe any water flowsinto the cavern at all, and even with a four foot raise I don't thinkmuch goes through. It was the first rush of the flood that carried usinto the hole. And now do you see what I am driving at? As soon as theback water from Honck's dam has spent itself--and it can't take verylong--the stream in front of us will become shallow, and then all weneed to do is to follow it down to the outlet. It probably cuts acrosssome bend and re-enters the creek. And we have penetrated such adistance from the mouth that the outlet can't be far away. I can't swearto all this, Nugget, but I am pretty well convinced that I am right. Avery short time will settle the question one way or another. "

"I hope what you say will come true, " replied Nugget dolefully. "This isa horrible place to be in. It gives me the shivers to think of it. Butif all the water runs out, won't we have to leave our canoes behind?" headded quickly. 

"We won't wait that long, " said Ned. "Don't be downhearted. There issurely a way out of this cavern, and we'll find it. Our situation mightbe far worse than it is. We have matches and a lantern, and there arecrackers in my canoe. "

"Are there?" exclaimed Nugget eagerly. "I think I'll eat a few. You'rean awfully good fellow, Ned. I don't feel half as bad now. "

"It's a good sign to be hungry, " replied Ned laughingly. He brought someof the crackers, and both ate them as they sat side by side on thesand. 

CHAPTER XXXIV

DESPAIR

In the course of an hour Ned's prediction began to be verified. The roarof the flood ceased entirely, and the water receded from the beach untilthe stream looked as shallow and quiet as a meadow brook. Ned wadedclear across to the opposite wall without going over his knees. 

"The flood from the dam has spent itself. I'm afraid we'll have to wadethrough and pull the canoes after us. I can see shoals and ledges notfar below. I'll lead the way with the lantern. "

This proposition was far from pleasing to Nugget, but he uttered noremonstrance. He had implicit faith in Ned by this time. 

The canoes were pulled into the water, and without delay the boysstarted down the gloomy channel. They pushed the canoes ahead of them, and in this way supported themselves and lessened the danger ofslipping. 

For a while they made fair progress and encountered but few shoals. Thestream was nowhere more than knee deep. 

Under these favorable circumstances Ned relaxed his caution, and theconsequence was that his feet slipped on the smooth stone, and down hewent into a pretty deep hole. The lantern fell from his hand wasextinguished, and the canoe shot ahead of him. 

Nugget's cry of alarm was the first thing that Ned heard when herecovered his footing, and he found himself almost breast deep in water. He was shivering with cold--and with something else as well, for herealized the full meaning of the disaster, and for a moment he was sickand faint. 

"I'm all right, Nugget, " he shouted. "Stay where you are. Don't move afoot. "

Then he waded cautiously forward until the channel was knee deep again, and shaking the water from his hands as well as he could, he drew outthe precious match and struck a light. 

His canoe had lodged on a reef a few feet down stream, but the lanternwas gone beyond recovery. The situation was serious. Nugget's lanternwas in Randy's canoe, and worse than all, only four matches remained inthe box. 

"It's a bad fix, " thought Ned; "but we must make the best of it. Nugget, " he added aloud, "push your canoe along the right side. I thinkthe water is shallow there. "

Nugget obeyed, and joined his companion without difficulty. 

"Have you any matches?" asked Ned. 

"Not a single one. " Nugget went through his pockets to make sure, andturned a shade whiter when he saw Ned's scanty stock, two of which werealready exhausted. 

"This is terrible, " he exclaimed huskily. "What can we do now?"

"Not very much, " replied Ned. "Keep your spirits up, though; that's theimportant thing. Here, take these, and burn one at a time. "

He handed the match box to Nugget, and quickly drew the canoes side byside. He took a stout fishing line from his pocket and tied themtogether at bow and stern. 

Then he rummaged the hatches in a vain search for something that wouldburn. Even the paper that was around some of the bundles was damp fromspray and leakage. 

"Well, Nugget, we must make the best of it, " he said. "All we can do isto push on in the dark. Is that the last match?"

"One left, " answered Nugget dolefully, and heaved a long sigh. 

"Don't use it, then. It may come in handy later on. The situation is notas bad as it looks. We can stick close together and push the canoesahead of us. In that way we won't run any risk of striking the wall. Ofcourse we can't move very rapidly, but our getting out of the cavern isonly a question of time. "

"I hope it won't take long, " said Nugget. "A day or two of this woulddrive me mad. "

Just then the match he was holding burnt to the end and fell in thewater. He restored the box to Ned, and taking hold of the canoes at thestern ends, they moved slowly through the darkness. 

No words can adequately describe the suffering and thoughts of the twolads during the next hour. Nugget could not repress an occasionalcomplaint, and even the stout hearted Ned felt at times as though hemust cry out. 

The fate of Clay and Randy weighed almost as heavily upon him as his ownmisfortunes. He knew their chance of escape had been very slight, and hefeared they had not been able to take advantage of it. Little wonderthen that he looked forward with almost equal dread and joy to reachingthe end of the cavern. 

That ordeal, however, promised to be long delayed. It was a painfullylaborious task to accomplish even a snail-like progress through the darkpassage. 

What lay before them the boys could only imagine, and they constantlyfeared some calamity. It was impossible to keep the canoes straight. They veered to right and left, striking the rocky sides of the channel, which actually seemed to be growing narrower. 

Every few moments they stuck fast on a shoal or submerged reef, and thenNed had to feel his way to the front with his paddle, and dislodge themby main force. The water was of variable depth, and half a dozen timesthe boys suddenly plunged breast deep into a hole, but fortunately didnot let go of the canoes. 

At the end of an hour the situation was unchanged. As yet not a ray oflight was visible ahead. Ned cheered his companion with hopeful words, and both struggled on and on, straining their eyes through the gloom tocatch the first glimpse of light. 

They felt that their powers of endurance would soon be spent. They wereintensely weary, and chilled to the bone by their dripping clothes. Contact with the rocks had bruised their hands and feet, and every stepwas a torture. 

At last the canoes grounded on some yielding surface and refused tobudge. Ned staggered forward and found their prows imbedded in what hejudged to be a bar of sand and gravel stretching across the channel. Hewalked on a few steps to ascertain its width, and was amazed andfrightened by coming in contact with a solid wall of rock. 

"Come here, quick, Nugget!" he called hoarsely. 

Nugget waded alongside the canoes, and was soon on the bar. 

"What is it?" he cried. "Anything wrong?"

For answer Ned took the last match from the little metal box, andlighted it. 

As the little blaze flared up the boys looked curiously about them. Onebrief glimpse revealed the awful truth. The sandy bar was in reality theend of the passage. Beyond it rose a smooth, slimy wall, and overheadwas a low jagged roof dripping with moisture. The canoes lay in a quietpool of water that was as dead and void of current as a mill pond. 

CHAPTER XXXV

NUGGET DISCOVERS A LIGHT

The half-burned match fell from Ned's trembling fingers, and went out onthe sand. Then there was silence for nearly a minute--a terrible, oppressive silence. 

It was broken by a sharp cry from Nugget that echoed far through thecavern. He seized Ned by one arm and clung to him, trembling from headto foot. 

"Is there no hope?" he wailed pitifully. "Must we stay in this awfulplace until we die? I can't stand it, Ned, indeed I can't. Oh! dosomething quick, won't you?"

Ned was at a loss to reply. His own heart was full of misery anddespair. What word of comfort could he give his companion? Would it bewise to give him any--to excite hopes that might never be realized?

He put his arm about Nugget, and this seemed to comfort the lad alittle. 

"We will surely find a way to escape, Ned?" he asked in a calmer tone. "Don't you think so?"

"It shan't be our fault if we don't, " returned Ned. "You must be brave, Nugget--brave and patient. We are worn out and exhausted now, and musthave rest before we can do anything more. "

"I was awfully tired a minute ago, " said Nugget, "but I feel now asthough I could push on all day if I was sure of finding the way out ofthis cavern. Do you think we will have to go all the way back--to theplace we entered by, I mean?"

"I hope that won't be necessary, " replied Ned. "The simple truth is thatwe have blundered into a side passage, that has no outlet. It can't bevery long since we got off the right track, for I remember the currentagainst my legs. We will go back after a while and find the turning. "

"In this pitch darkness?" exclaimed Nugget. 

"We will feel our way along the wall, " said Ned, "and if the canoes arein the road we'll abandon them. We won't start now though. Sit down andtake a good rest. You will need it. "

Nugget obediently climbed into his canoe, and Ned did the same. For along while they sat thus, side by side, without speaking. Ned's couragewas almost at the breaking point. In spite of his sanguine words he feltthat the chance were terribly adverse. Without a ray of light to guidethem it would be a difficult matter to find the main channel of thestream again, and follow it to the outlet which must certainly exist. There was danger of falling into deep holes, of striking sharp rocks, orblundering into other side passages with which the cavern was doubtlesshoneycombed. 

Oppressed with such sad reflections Ned let the time go by unheeded, and at length, through very fatigue, he fell into a kind of doze. Howlong he remained thus he did not know, but he was suddenly roused toconsciousness by a shrill cry from Nugget:

"Look, Ned, a light! a light!"

Ned first believed that his companion was either dreaming or indelirium, but when he glanced along the passage he saw a yellowflickering glare, and outlined against it a tall black figure. 

"It's a man with a torch, " cried Ned hoarsely. 

"And he's going away from us, " exclaimed Nugget, "call him, quick!"

The boys made the cavern ring with loud shouts, and when a quickresponse came they were almost frantic with joy. 

The torch was motionless for an instant. Then it came nearer and nearer, casting a ruddy light on the slimy walls of the passage, until the boyscould see plainly the tall bearded man who carried it. 

"Found at last!" exclaimed the stranger in a cheery voice as he wadedout on the beach. "This will be good news for them other chaps. "

"Are our friends safe?" cried Ned eagerly. "Did they escape the flood?"

"Yes, " replied the man. "Didn't even get wet or lose their canoes. Comeright along now, an' I'll take you to them. I wouldn't let them enterthe cavern for fear of accidents. This ain't the time to explain things. All that will come later. My name is Jonas Packer, an' I'm the man whatblowed that horn this morning when I seen you chaps down on the creek. "

In view of Mr. Packer's evident anxiety to get out of the cavern as soonas possible the boys repressed their desire to ask more questions. Painand fatigue were forgotten as they entered the water and pushed thecanoes back along the passage. While their guide preceded them, holdingthe blazing torch over his head. 

Five minutes later they reached the main channel, and turning a sharpangle found themselves in swiftly running water once more. 

"This is where you boys got astray, I reckon, " said Mr. Packer. "It'sgood you sung out when you did, because I was going right on to thefront end of the cavern. I didn't think about this side pocket at thetime. "

"Are we near the rear end?" inquired Ned. 

"Purty close, " was the reassuring reply. "You'll know when you come toit. "

For half an hour longer the boys pushed on through the narrow windingpassage, finding the stream as rugged and full of difficulties as it hadbeen earlier in the day. With Mr. Packer's aid, however, they readilyskirted the deep pools and pulled the canoes over the obstructing ledgesand shallows. 

Then, somewhat to their consternation, they saw a jagged wall of rocktowering before them. This was undoubtedly the termination of thecavern, but where was the outlet?

"Hold this over your head and stay right here, " said Mr. Packer, handing Ned the torch. "I'll be with you in a minute. "

He waded toward the wall, pulling the canoes after him, until the waterwas above his waist. Then, one at a time, he shot the canoes into along, low crevice at the base of the cliff, and they vanished with agrating noise. 

He waded back to the boys and led them to a narrow strip of sand on theright of the passage. Without a word he climbed nimbly up the rocks andentered a circular hole where the space was so contracted that Ned andNugget had to bend almost double and hold their arms in front of them. 

They made several sharp turns, slipped down a slide of moist, stickyclay--and emerged suddenly into the warm, sultry air of the outer world. 

A glad cry fell from the boys' lips. A few yards distant lay the surfaceof the creek, and in the angle formed by the shore and a rocky hillsidethat fell sheer to the water, was a snowy tent, and a campfire behindit, and two slim figures standing in the flame light. The next instantthe Jolly Rovers were united, and with joy too deep for words theyclasped hands. 

Mr. Packer slipped quietly away, and jumping into a boat paddled afterthe two canoes which had emerged from under the cliff a moment before, and were now sliding swiftly down stream. 

CHAPTER XXXVI

HOME AGAIN

It was some time before the boys could talk coherently. A dry change ofclothes and the good supper their companions had prepared in readiness, made Ned and Nugget feel pretty much like themselves again, and sittingabout the camp fire they told the thrilling story of their adventure. 

Then Clay and Randy related their escape from the flood, telling howthey had reached a break in the cliff--a steep, bushy slope--up whichthey dragged their canoes in time to avoid the sudden deluge. 

The missing links were supplied by Jonas Packer. 

"I seen you two fellows shoot into the cavern, " he said, "and as soon asthe flood went down a little, I took my boat and went across to theother chaps, who were pretty badly scared about that time. Knowin' allabout the cavern, I relieved their minds a little and persuaded them topaddle around the bend with me to the place where the cavern came out. Then we all went inside and waited and waited for two or three hours, Ireckon. You see I kinder expected you boys to come straight throughwithout upsetting. 

"I was afraid then to wade up the channel for fear of more high water. But when evening come, an' no signs of you yet, the thing began to lookserious. So I told those lads to h'ist the tent an' get supperready--more to cheer them than anything else--an' then I lit the pinetorch I'd brought along, and struck into the cavern, bent on going clearthrough if I could, and the rest of my story you fellows know. It was anarrow escape, I tell you. "

"It was the worst adventure I ever had, " said Ned. "The time we were inthere seemed like days instead of hours. Is the cavern very long?"

"Not more'n half a mile. It took you a good while to come throughthough. It was about eight o'clock in the evening when I found you. Yousee the cavern cuts straight under the hill, and enters the creek againbelow the bend. To go around by land it's a good mile and a half. 

"In low water both ends of the cavern are high and dry, and you can goall the way through on foot. Indian Cave is what they call it becausethe Indians used to hide there more'n a hundred years ago. "

Mr. Packer related several interesting reminiscences of the cavern, until he saw that the boys were getting sleepy. Then he left for homepromising to rig up a paddle in place of the one Nugget had lost, andalso to bring him an old hat. 

A few moments later the Jolly Rovers were sleeping soundly in the tent, and the dying camp fire was gleaming on the muddy surface of the creek. Tuesday was a clear, sunny day, but the boys decided to defer theirdeparture until the next morning. Ned and Nugget felt the need of alittle rest. 

After breakfast Jonas Packer returned, bringing quite a respectablepaddle on which he had been working since daybreak, and a broad brimmedstraw hat, which Nugget regarded as a very poor substitute for his trimyachting cap. 

Harvest work required the good natured farmer's immediate return. Theboys parted from him with genuine regret, and only with the greatestdifficulty could they induce him to accept pay for the paddle--the veryleast of the services he had rendered them. 

The greater part of the day was spent in furbishing up clothes and campequipments and scrubbing the collected dirt and scum of three weeks fromthe decks and sides of the canoes. The boys realized that the cruise wasabout ended, and they hoped by the aid of the high water and an earlystart to reach home on the morrow. 

There was no longer any temptation to linger by the way, since the lowerreaches of the creek with which they had been familiar for some yearspast, were only a few miles distant. The chief charm of canoeing is toexplore strange waters. 

The Jolly Rovers were up bright and early on Wednesday morning, and indefault of bread or crackers they made some cakes out of flour andwater, and relished them, too. It was a strange coincidence that theprovisions should have lasted just until this time. With the exceptionof a little oatmeal the jars were quite empty. 

About half past seven the Pioneer led the way down stream, proudlyshaking the faded pennant to the breeze, and soon the mouth of IndianCave was far behind. The creek was now barely a foot above its normallevel, but this was quite sufficient to make a swift current, and themile after mile, bend after bend fell behind the flashing paddles of theJolly Rovers. 

At ten o'clock they reached the first familiar landmark--Roop's Dam--andthe home coming began to seem a reality indeed. The Susquehanna was sixmiles distant as the crow flies, but almost thrice six by the snakycurvatures of the channel down which they were making their way. 

Midway on the breast of the dam was lodged a section of the red bridge, and it recalled vividly to the boys the circumstances under which theyhad last seen it. 

They found an easy portage for the canoes, and were off again withoutdelay. While the sunny afternoon slowly lengthened they paddled onthrough a now familiar country, passing Sporting Hill--a famous placefor bass--about four o'clock, and reaching Oyster's Dam--endeared bymany boyish memories--just an hour later. 

Another portage, and then away at full speed between wooded banks andgreen islands, to the nail works dam, where the air rang to the clatterof big hammers and pitchy black smoke was vomited skyward from hugestacks. 

A brief dash through foaming shallows and rapids, with the hamlet ofFairview on one side and the wooded bluffs of Bunker Hill on the other, a swift glide into the shadows of the old Red Bridge--and then theJolly Rovers were on the broad bosom of the Susquehanna. They shoutedand laughed and waved their caps in the air for very joy. 

A mile across the tide were the upper suburbs of the city, anddiagonally down stream, three miles away, was the great yellow dome ofthe capitol, and beyond it, faint in the golden haze of sunset, thepiers and spans of five mighty bridges, capped by clustered spires androofs. 

Soon the Jolly Rovers rounded the upper point of Independence Island andpaddled on by the city shores until the porch of Randy's boat house hovein view. 

Ned was first to reach the float, and stepping out of his canoe heseized the pennant and waved it aloft. "The cruise of the Jolly Roversis ended, " he cried. "May we make another like it!"

"And never a shorter one!" added Randy. "It will be four weeks on Fridaymorning since we started. "

They give three loud cheers together, and with eager hands carried thecanoes into the boat house. Then they climbed to the top of the bank, and marched homeward through the city with the proud step and mien of aconquering army. Far more to be prized than spoils of victory were theirhealthy, bronzed faces. 

And so the wonderful cruise came to an end--in one way at least, thoughthe memories of it will never be forgotten. Apart from its keenenjoyments, and thrilling adventures, and the freshened vigor of healththat it imparted, the boys learned more than one lesson that will proveof service in after life. From that time Randy was less self willed, andbetter able to curb his temper, for his eyes had been opened to theserious consequences that may result from these faults. 

Clay had learned to regard practical jokes and mocking words in a moreserious light than they had ever appeared to him before, while Nuggetwas more self reliant and less timid after the rugged experiences he hadpassed through. 

Even Ned--to whose constant cool headedness and knowledge of out doorcraft the success of the cruise was mainly due--had profited by lessonsof patience and endurance. And he was happy--with that happiness whichcomes to one who has benefitted his fellow man--in the consciousnessthat he had helped Bug Batters to the commencement of a new and a betterlife. 

The boys are yet far from the cares and responsibilities of manhood, andthey will probably make more than one cruise in the happy summervacations to come, but it is doubtful if brighter memories will everdim the cherished wealth of affection they feel for the faded pennant, the scarred and battered paddles, and the water soaked log book, whichnow hangs on the boathouse wall--mute mementoes of the time the JollyRovers paddled down the winding waters of the Conodoguinet. 

THE END