[Frontispiece: "There he comes right now, Larry; and he's holding upsome game you like right well. "] Chums In Dixie OR _THE STRANGE CRUISE OF A MOTORBOAT_ _By_ ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE Author of "THE HOUSE BOAT BOYS, " "THE YOUNG FUR-TAKERS, " "CANOE MATES IN CANADA, "Etc. M. A. DONOHUE & CO. , Chicago COPYRIGHT 1912. M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. THE VOYAGE BEGUN II. A BOY OF THE SWAMPS III. THE SQUATTERS OF THE CYPRESS TRACT IV. DOWN THE SWIFT CURRENT V. WHAT HAPPENED ON THE FIRST NIGHT VI. "SAVING THE BACON" VII. LARRY CATCHES THE FEVER VIII. HELD FAST IX. THE SECOND NIGHT OUT X. WHEN THE SLEEPER AWOKE XI. AN UNINVITED GUEST XII. THE SHERIFF AND HIS "DAWGS" XIII. IN THE CYPRESS COUNTRY XIV. LARRY PICKS UP SOME MORE POINTERS XV. A RIDE ON AN ALLIGATOR XVI. UNDER THE TWISTED LIVE OAK XVII. TALKING IT OVER XVIII. THE COMING OF THE TERRIBLE McGEE XIX. TAKEN PRISONER XX. AMONG THE SHINGLE-MAKERS XXI. A GLOOMY OUTLOOK XXII. PHIL SHOOTS HIS BOLT--AND LOSES! XXIII. THE WINGED MESSENGER CHUMS IN DIXIE OR _The Strange Cruise of a Motor Boat_ By ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE CHAPTER I THE VOYAGE BEGUN "Phil, oh! Phil, won't you please hurry up? I'll go to sleep prettysoon, if we don't get a move on us. " "Just give me five minutes more, Larry, and I promise you we're goingto leave this place, and start on our cruise down to the big Gulf. I've got a couple of nuts to put on again, and then you'll hear thelittle motor begin to hum. " The last speaker was bending over the engine of a fair-sized motorboat, which had a stationary roof, and adjustable curtains that in timeof need could be made to enclose the entire vessel. This modern craft was tied up against the bank of one of those narrowbut swift streams that, having their source in southern Georgia orAlabama, find their way to the Gulf of Mexico, after passing throughmany miles of Florida cypress swamps that are next to unknown territoryto the outside world. Phil Lancing was the son of a well-to-do Northern physician, who hadsome time previously come into possession of a very large tract ofterritory in Northern Florida. Considerable of this property was invast swamps; and here squatters had settled many years back, cuttingthe trees at their pleasure, and making vast quantities of cypressshingles, which were floated down the river to markets along the gulf. The second occupant of the brave launch Aurora was a rather chubbyspecimen of a half grown lad, with a rosy face, and laughing blue eyes. Larry Densmore expected to become a lawyer some fine day, and inevidence of his fitness for the business he was constantly askingquestions, and finding debatable points in such matters as naturallycame up. Phil being an amateur naturalist, knew considerable about the woods andtheir numerous denizens. Larry was an utter greenhorn, and apt manytimes to display his gross ignorance concerning the habits of game; aswell as the thousand and one things a woodsman is supposed to beacquainted with. But his good-nature was really without limit; and onecould hardly ever get provoked with Larry, even when he committed themost stupendous of blunders. Upon hearing these consoling words from his chum, Larry, who wassitting well up in the bow of the boat, yawned and stretched himself. The southern sun was inclined to be warm, and Larry had not slept verywell the two nights he had been aboard the motor boat. But then it wasnothing very singular to see the chubby lad yawning at any time of theday. "I'm real glad we've got all our supplies aboard, " he said, aloud, justto pass the time away, and to keep awake while Phil was fussing withthe engine preparatory to starting on their trip down-stream. "I'mtired of this dead little village that they call a town. And tired ofhearing what an awful lot of trouble we're bound to buck up againstwhen we get two-thirds of the way down to the gulf. Wonder what they'dsay if they knew your dad owned most all of that property along thiscrazy old creek they call a river. And that you even expect to stopoff to interview that terrible McGee they talk about! Oh, my! what wasthat, now?" Larry ceased to stretch himself. He even sat up, his eyes wide opennow, as if he had noticed something away out of the usual; and theywere fastened on the stern of the boat, where he had certainly seensomething slip over the gunwale, and vanish under a pile of blanketsthat had been airing. Phil raised his head. He did not even glance at his chum, but seemedto be listening intently. "Now what d'ye suppose all that shouting means?" he exclaimed. "Seemsto be coming this way too, and mighty fast at that. There, look, Larry, don't you see them running through the woods? As sure as youlive they're coming this way! I wonder if it's a fox hunt, or what?" "Mebbe--" began Larry; and then his comrade interrupted him before hecould say what was on his mind. "They're heading right for us; and there's that big Colonel Brashearsat their head, the fellow who told us all those awful stories about theshingle-makers of the swamps. Here they come, seven of 'em; and look, Larry, as many as four have got ugly whips in their hands! Something'sup, I tell you. " Again did Larry open his mouth as though to say something; and for thesecond time, after a swift glance toward the blankets, he closed itagain resolutely. The seven men who were running speedily drew near. Most of them wereout of breath, and all looked very much excited. The leader, who wasquite a character in the Southern town, and a fierce appearingindividual, with a military swagger, which Phil believed to be whollyassumed, immediately addressed himself to the two young Northerners onthe new-fangled motor boat, which had been the wonder of thetownspeople ever since it was dropped off the cars to be launched inthe so-called "river" at their doors. "Seen anything of him acomin' this aways, sah?" he asked, in a highpitched, raspy voice. "We done chased him through the woods, and he'sgive us the slip. Thinkin' he mout have come in this direction, wechanged our course to put the question to yuh. " "What was it--a fox?" asked Phil, innocently enough. "No, sah, it was not a fox, but a miserable whelp of a boy!" exclaimedthe indignant colonel, drawing his military figure up, and cracking hiswhip with a vindictive report that sounded like the discharge of apistol. "A boy?" ejaculated Phil, astonished at all this display of force undersuch peculiar conditions. "A boy!" echoed Larry, some of the color leaving his face, and a lookof genuine concern taking its place. "A mighty sassy and desp'rit critter at that, " the colonel went on. "One of that McGee tribe from down-river way. He's been loafin' 'roundtown some days, I'm told, an' we're lucky not to have our homes robbedo' everything wuth while. My Bob met him on the street a while back;an' jest like boys, they had words that led to blows. The miserablebeggar actually had the nerve to lick my Bob; foh yuh see I reckon he'sjust like a wildcat in a fight. When I seen the black eye and bloodynose he give my Bob I jest natchally ached to lay it on him; andorganizin' a posse o' my neighbors, who has reason to hate them McGeeslike cold pizen, we started out to lay hands on the cub an' tan hishide black an' blue. " "But he managed to escape after all, you say?" asked Phil, who had somedifficulty in keeping a grin of satisfaction from showing on his face;for the idea of these seven stalwart men chasing one puny little chapwas pretty close to ridiculous in his eyes. "He was too slick foh us, I reckons, sah, " the colonel went on, snapping off the heads of a few wild flowers with the lash of hisconstantly moving whip. "We done lost sight of him in the woods, andthought as how possibly you mout aseen him thisaways. And so we turnedaside to ask you that question, sah. " Phil shook his head in the negative. "I give you my word, Colonel Brashears, I haven't seen the least signof any boy for the last five hours, " he said, positively, and withtruth. "I've been busy making a few changes in my engine here; and weexpect to start down the river inside of five minutes or so. " "Thet's all right, sah, " returned the other, with a slight bow. "Andsuch bein' the case me and my posse had better be turnin' our attentionin another quarter. We're gwine tuh find that little scamp yet, andtickle his hide foh him. When he goes back tuh his kind below, they'llunderstand that weuns up-river don't tolerate thieves and brawlers inouh town. Good day, sah, and we sure hope you-all may have a pleasantvoyage; but we done warn yuh tuh look sharp when yuh gets nigh thestampin' place o' the terrible McGee!" The posse turned away, and went trooping back into the open woods. Larry had listened to all that was being said with his mouth half open, and a look of real concern on his face. He saw with a thrill that oncethe leader of the crowd seemed to pause, as if to dispute with his menas to what their next best course might be. "Oh, do hurry, Phil!" cried the watching lad, as he jumped up from hisseat, and going ashore, started to unfasten the cable that held themotor boat to a tree. "In a minute or two, Chum Larry!" sang out; the other. "What's yourhaste? Upon my word, I never knew you to act like that before. Generally you're the last one to want to rush things. See here, was itthe visit of those fellows that upset you, Larry?" "Yes, yes, " answered the other, with a voice that actually trembledwith anxiety; "that Colonel Brashears is such a fierce fire-eater, andhe cracked that awful whip just like he itched to lay it on the bareback of that poor little chap. Let's get out of this before they cancome back. Why, they might even want to search our boat, you know!" "Oh! I guess there's no danger of that, " laughed Phil. "Anyway, youcan see that they've gone into the woods again. " "And headed down-stream; notice that, Phil, " went on the stout boy, nervously. "Say, I'm going to unfasten the rope now, and let her swingoff on the current. It will give us a start, you know, and make mefeel easier. " "All right, let her slip, " answered the engineer; "I'm just about readyto turn the engine, and get power on her. Come aboard, Larry. We'reoff!" Phil waved his hat, and gave a little cheer as the Aurora began to movethrough the dark water of the stream, with her nose pointing due south. The merry popping of her unmuffled exhaust told that the engine wasbusily at work, even if turned on at part speed. When he saw the shore slipping rapidly by Larry seemed to breatheeasier. Still, he kept his gaze fastened upon the woods, as though notquite sure that the posse might not unexpectedly heave in sight again, with a new demand. For a short time there was silence aboard the rapidly speeding boat. Phil busied himself with his engine, watching its performance with moreor less satisfaction; for his heart was set on mechanics, and heanticipated great things of the motor he had put into his boat beforesending her south for this especial trip. Larry on the other hand never once turned to look at the shore alongthe larboard quarter; that which he knew sheltered the seven burly boyhunters claimed all his attention. "I wonder will they find the poor little chap?" Phil finally remarked;showing that after all his thoughts were not wholly taken up with theworking of the engine at which he was gazing so proudly. "Say, did you hear what he said about the swamp boy licking his Bob?"demanded Larry, with sudden glee. "Don't you remember what we thoughtof that big loafer; and how he seemed to lord it over all the otherboys of the town, when they came out in a bunch to see what our boatlooked like? I'm awful glad he got his, ain't you, Phil?" "Sure I am, " grinned the other. "Thought at one time I'd have totackle Bob on my own account, when he got so sassy; but I knew his dadwould make it rough for us, and I managed to hold in. Yes, he got onlywhat he deserved, I guess. And if I ever meet up with that swamp boy, I declare I'd like to shake hands with him, and tell him he is allright for doing what he did. It took some nerve to tackle Bob--justlike a little rooster going next door and licking the cock of thebarnyard. " "Would you really like to tell him that?" exclaimed Larry, as heclutched the shoulder of his chum; and Phil, looking up was astonishedto see how his eyes danced. "Give you my word I would, " he declared, vehemently. "Good!" ejaculated the other, with a nervous laugh; and springing overto a spot nearer the stern of the boat he called out: "You might aswell come out now. The colonel and his crowd are far away, and we wantto see what you look like!" Thereupon, to the immense amazement of Phil Lancing, the blankets beganto heave; and being speedily tossed aside, behold there came forth thefigure of a tattered, half-grown boy--a boy with a face as brown asthat of an Indian, and with a pair of defiant black eyes that flashedfire as he looked straight at the owner of the motor boat. And Phil realized that he was gazing upon the boy belonging to theterrible McGee tribe from down-river, who had just licked the bigBrashears cub in his own home town! CHAPTER II A BOY OF THE SWAMPS "Well, if this don't beat all creation!" exclaimed Phil, as hecontinued to stare at the uninvited passenger on board the Aurora. "See here, Larry, own up now that you saw him crawl aboard our boat?" "That's just what I did, " chuckled the other, as though he enjoyed thejoke. "If you hark back a bit, perhaps you'll remember my calling out, just at the time you discovered moving figures through the trees? Thatwas because I had caught just a glimpse of something, I didn't knowwhat, slipping under the blankets. "Now I can understand why you were so nervous, and wanted to hurryoff, " said Phil. "You were afraid the fierce colonel would come back, and search our craft for stowaways. " "Sure I was; I admit it, " echoed Larry. "But Phil, you really meantwhat you said just now, didn't you--about wanting to shake hands withthe boy who knocked Bob Brashears galley west, you know?" Phil turned to the sallow-faced, defiant figure that was observingtheir every action. The boy looked as though ready to brave them totheir face, if so be they turned out to be new enemies; or even take aheader over the side, should they show signs of wanting to detain himagainst his will. But as soon as he looked into the smiling countenance of Phil he musthave realized that in taking this liberty of boarding the motor boat, when so hard pressed by his enemies, he had made a lucky move indeed. For in those friendly eyes he saw genuine warmth. "Shake hands, won't you, my friend?" said Phil, thrusting out his owndigits in the free and easy fashion customary with boys. "I'm glad youpunched that Bob Brashears. I hope his black eye will hang to him fora month. And I'd have given a heap to have seen the mill when youlicked him. I'm only surprised he dared tackle you alone, big cub thathe is. " "Huh!" the boy broke out with, as a glimmer of a smile appearedflickering athwart his thin, serious looking face; "they was two of'em, mister. But t'other, he run like a scart rabbit the first crackhe got under his ear. " Then Larry insisted on also squeezing his hand warmly. "When I heard that man say they were chasing a boy, " he remarked, "Iknew what it was I'd seen scramble under the blankets; and I made up mymind that they wasn't going to get you, if we had to fight for it. Just to think of seven hulking men after one small boy. But we're toofar away now for any of them to get you; and perhaps you'd like to stayaboard till we reach your home below; because we expect to pass all theway to the gulf, you see. He'd be welcome, wouldn't he, Phil?" "Sure he would, " affirmed the other, heartily, as he eyed the boy; andperhaps a dim suspicion that he might find the fugitive valuable as aguide began to flit through his mind then and there. "We've got oceans of grub aboard; and perhaps you wouldn't mind helpingout in the cooking line; because, you see, I'm the one in charge ofthat part of the game; while Phil, he takes care of the running gear. Anyhow, no matter, you're welcome to stay with us on the trip. We'reglad to know the fellow who dared lick that big bully of a BobBrashears, see?" The boy let his head drop. Perhaps it was because he did not want tolet these generous fellows see the tear in his eye, and of which he waspossibly ashamed, though without reason. "Say, that's right kind of you both, " he exclaimed presently, when hecould look them in the eyes without winking. "And I'm gwine to say yesright away. I wanted to stay up here yet a while; but I saw the townwas gettin' too hot foh me; and I made a fix with a friend I got thar, so's I could know how it all came out. Yep, I'll stick with you, andbe glad in the bargain. " "What might your name be?" asked Larry, frankly. "Tony, " came the immediate answer; but although it might be supposedthat the swamp boy had another name besides, he somehow did not seem tothink it worth while to mention the same--or else had some reason forkeeping it unspoken. "Well, " remarked Phil, who had listened to the way the other spoke withmore or less surprise; "I must say that if you do live in the swamp, and your folks are a wild lot, according to what these people aroundhere say, you talk better than any of the boys we've yet run acrosssince we struck this place. Ten to one you've been to school a time, Tony?" The swamp boy smiled, and shook his head in the negative. "Never seen the inside of a school in my born days till we come up herea while back, me an' little Madge. But my mother didn't always live inthe swamps. Once she taught school down in Pensacola. Dad met herwhen he was ferryin' shingles, an' that's how it came around. She saysas how her children ain't a-goin' to grow up like heathen, if they doeshave little but rags to wear. And so she showed me how to read, andI'm wantin' to get more books. Looky here, this is one I bought sincewe kim up the river, " and as he spoke he drew out from the inside ofhis faded and torn flannel shirt a rather soiled volume. "Robinson Crusoe!" exclaimed Phil, as he vividly remembered the timeaway back when he too had treasured the volume so dear to the heart ofthe average boy at a certain age. "Well, Tony, I'm going to make you apromise, that when I get home again there's going to come down this waya box of books that will make you happy. Just to think of it, a boywho longs to know what is going on in this big world, and kept back tospend his life in a swamp. Why, we've got a few aboard here right now, that you shall have when we say good-by to you. " Tony hardly knew whether he might be dreaming or hearing a blessedtruth. The look he bent on the kind-hearted Northern lad told how hissoul had been stirred by these totally unexpected acts of friendlyregard. "That's awful good of you, sah!" he murmured, as his eyes droppedagain--perhaps because he felt them moist once more; and according to aswamp boy's notions it was a silly thing to give way to weakness likethis. "But whatever made you come up here, Tony, so far away from your home?"Larry asked. "You must have known how the people in this town hatedyour folks; and that if they found out you came from the McGeesettlement of squatters they'd make it hard for you. " "Yes, I knowed all that, " replied the other, slowly; "but you see, somebody jest had to come along with Madge; an' dad he dassent, 'casethey had it in foh him. " "Madge--that means your little sister, doesn't it, Tony?" queried Larry. "Yep. She's jest so high, an' she's been blind a long time. Last yeara gent from the No'th that called hisself a professor, happened to gitlost in the swamps, and some of our folks they fetched him in. He wastook good care of, an' after a bit was guided out of the swamps. Heseen Madge, an' he told dad an' mam that if only she could be treatedby a friend o' his'n, who was a very great eye doctor up No'th, hebelieved Madge, she'd git her sight back ag'in. " Phil started, and looked more closely at the boy as he heard this; buthe did not say anything, leaving it to his chum to learn all there wasto know about the mission of Tony from the swamps, to the town of thosewho hated his clan so bitterly. "And you brought your little blind sister all the way up here, didyou?" asked Larry, with a ring of real sympathy in his cheery voice. "Sho! that want nawthin' much, " declared the other, scornfully. "I hada little dugout, which I paddled easy. I spected to stay 'roun' tillthe doctor he kim, which was to be at a sartin day; but yuh see theyrun me out. But I gotter a chanct to fix it all up. Madge, she'sstoppin' at the cabin o' a man dad used to know. His name is Badger, an' he's got a boy Tom, jest my age. " "That's nice now, " remarked Phil, taking a hand in the talk. "And isshe going to stay there till this Northern eye doctor arrives, toperform the operation?" "Yep; but mam guv me the money to let her into the horspittal, so shec'n stay thar, and be looked arter till she's well. Mam sets a heap ofstore by Madge; an' dad too, I reckon. They ain't gwine to sleep muchtill they knows whether the operation pans out right or not. " "But how will you know, now that you have been chased out of town?"asked Larry. "Perhaps this Tom Badger will go down the river to carrythe news?" "Shucks, no, " said the other, with a flash of pride coming over histhin face; "I fixed that up all right. He's gwine to send a message toweuns just as soon as he knows what's what; and we'll git the news sureinside o' a few hours. " "But say, you don't mean to tell me there's a telegraph station in theswamps?" ejaculated the astonished Larry. "Nope, " replied Tony, instantly. "Jest a pigeon. Tom, he knows how towrite, and he's gwine to tuck a little letter under the wing o' thebird I fetched up. " "A carrier pigeon, you mean!" cried Larry. "Why, how fine you plannedit, Tony. Just to think of it, having the news flashed straight home, over miles and miles of swamps. But what if a hawk got your bird, whatthen?" "I tuck up three of 'em, so's to make sure, " Tony made answer. "Hepromised to set 'em all free one after t'other, and each carryin' thenews. So you see, sah, one of 'em's jest bound to sure git home. " "But see here, where under the sun did you ever get carrier pigeons?That's the last thing I'd expect to find away down in the Floridaswamps, " Phil asked. "A man in Pensacola, as knowed my mam afore she married dad, sent apair home to her last time they took shingles down thar, which was ayear back. I made a coop foh the birds an' they hatched out a heap o'young uns. These hyah three is the pick o' the flock; an' I sure hashopes o' seein' one of 'em right soon after Tom he starts 'em loose. " "Well, you've interested me a heap, " declared Larry. "Why, it's justlike a story, you see. The good doctor comes, restores the sight toyour sweet little sister's eyes; and then the glorious news is flashedhome by a dove of peace and good tidings. Of course it'll be goodnews, Tony. Didn't the dove bring that kind back to old Noah in theark? I'm awful glad you just happened to hit our boat when you wantedsome place to hide. Why, I wouldn't have missed meeting you for awhole lot. Have you had anything to eat this morning, Tony?" When he learned that their guest was really hungry, Larry immediatelystarted to get something going. He drew out a little square black tinbox; this, on being opened disclosed a brass contrivance which turnedout to be a German Jewel kerosene gas stove. This was quickly started, and began a cheery song, as though inviting a kettle to accept of itsgenial warmth. Evidently the swamp boy had never in all his life seen anything likethis, to judge from the way he gazed. Nor had he ever scented coffeethat had the aroma such as was soon filling the air about them; for hecould not help sniffing eagerly every little while, to the secretamusement of Larry. All this while the boat had been speeding down the narrow but deepstream. Phil could look after the wheel and the engine at the sametime; though as a rule he depended on his chum to stand in the bow, andwarn him of any floating log or snag, such as might play the mischiefwith the cedar sheathing of the modern motor boat. When Larry announced that lunch was ready Phil slowed down, andpresently came alongside the bank, at a place where a cable could bewarped around a convenient tree. For, since they were in no particularhurry, they did not feel that it was necessary to keep on the movewhile eating. Larry had heated up a mess of Boston baked beans. Besides this theyhad some soda biscuits which had been purchased from a woman in thetown; some cheese; and a can of sardines; the whole to be topped offwith a dish of prunes, cooked on the preceding evening, and only partlyeaten. When Tony received his share he ate ravenously. Perhaps the boy hadseldom tasted such a fine variety of food, for the canned stuffs likelyto reach these squatters of the big cypress swamps were apt to be ofthe cheapest variety. They were sitting thus as the lunch drew near its conclusion when, inaddressing his chum in some laughing way, Larry happened to mention hisname in full. The effect upon Tony was singular. He started as though he had beenshot, and immediately stared at Phil; while a troubled look came overhis sallow face; just as though he had recognized a name that was beingheld up to derision and execration down in the settlement of the McGeesquatters! CHAPTER III THE SQUATTERS A short time later, and once more Larry loosened the rope that held themotor boat to the bank; so that the swift current taking hold, commenced to carry the craft down stream. Then Phil startedoperations; and the merry popping of the noisy exhaust told that theywere being urged on at a faster gait than the movement of the streamcould boast. Tony had curled up in the sun, just like a dog might have done. Heseemed to be asleep; and the two other boys talked in low tones as theycontinued to glide on down the winding river; now under heavy trees, and again passing through an open stretch, where the turpentineindustry had killed the pines years back; so that only a new growth wascoming on. Perhaps Phil might have thought it a bit singular had he known thatTony did not sleep for a single minute as he lay there; but was fromtime to time observing his new friends from the shelter of his arms, onwhich his head lay. Phil had reached under the deck of the boat and brought forth asplendid gun of the latest model. It was a Marlin repeater, knownamong hunters as a pump gun; and could be fired six times withoutreloading, the empty shells being thrown out from the side instead ofin the marksman's face. This fine weapon had been a present to the boy from his father on thepreceding summer, when he had a birthday; and as yet he had found noopportunity to test its shooting qualities. Still, his father had oncebeen something of a true sportsman, and knew more or less about thevalue of firearms; so that Phil never feared but that it would prove tobe an excellent tool. "I've got some buckshot shells along with me, you remember, Larry, " hewas saying as he guided the boat, and tried to keep her in the middleof the widening stream. "And I fetched them in the hope of meeting upwith a Florida deer, or perhaps a panther; which animal is found downhere. If a fellow can't carry a rifle these buckshot shells answerpretty well. I got my deer up in the Adirondacks last year with one, fired from my old double-barrel. " "How about grizzly bears and wildcats and coons?" asked Larry, not inthe least ashamed to show his utter ignorance about all such matters, in his quest of knowledge. At that Phil laughed out loud. "The bobcat and coon part is all O. K. , Larry, " he said; "but you'reaway off when you think we're going to rub up against a grizzly beardown in Florida. They have got a specimen of the breed here, but it'sonly a small black fellow, and not particularly ferocious, they tellme. But we'll ask Tony about all these things later on; he ought toknow. " "Yes, and perhaps he can help us go ashore, and get a fine deer once ina while!" exclaimed Larry, who loved to enjoy the good things of lifealmost as much as he did to exploit his ability as a cook. "Yum! yum, a real venison steak, cooked on the spot where the animal wasshot--what a treat for hungry fellows, eh?" "Wait, " said the other, nodding. "You may change your mind before agreat while. For instance, venison ought to hang quite a time beforebeing eaten. I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed, Larry, andthat if we're lucky enough to get a deer you'll find it as tough anddry as all get-out. " "Then things ain't all they're cracked up to be, " declared the other. "I always read that things tasted just dandy in camp; and here youspoil all my illusions right off the reel. " "They taste good because the appetite is there, " remarked Phil. "Afellow gets as hungry as a bear in the spring after he comes out fromhis hibernating. But already you ought to know that, because you'reeating half again as much as you do up home. And of your own cookingtoo. " "That stamps it gilt-edged, A Number One, " laughed Larry. "But here'sTony beginning to wake up. Come and join us, Tony. We want to ask youheaps of things about the animals of the timber and the swamps; alsosomething about your people. You see, we ain't down here just for ourhealth or the fun of ft. Phil here has got a mission to perform, thatconcerns the terrible McGee they told us about up in the river town. " Again did Tony send that questioning look at Phil Lancing; and therewas something besides inquiry in his manner. Doubtless the words socarelessly uttered by good-natured Larry had stirred up mingledemotions in the breast of the swamp boy, and he was wondering what sortof a message the son of the man who now owned all that wild countrybelow, could be carrying to the giant shingle-maker, leader of thewhole McGee clan. "If I c'n tell you anything jest ask me, sah!" he remarked, in hissingularly smooth and even voice. "I sure ought tuh be ready tuh'blige after all yuh done foh me. But I wisht you'd done never comedown thisaways, case they's hard men, the McGees, an' I reckons as howthey ain't got any reason tuh think kindly o' your governor. " As he said this bluntly, Tony looked squarely into the face of Phil;who however only smiled as he made reply. "I see you have heard my name before, Tony? Well, you never heardanything bad in connection with it, I'll be bound. It's true that myfather did come into possession of ten thousand acres or more of landand swamp, lying along this same little river a year or two ago. Andhe's taken a notion that something ought to be done to make it moreprofitable than it seems to be now. That's one of the reasons I'm downhere. My father don't like the idea of having squatters on his lands. He wants to make a change. " Tony squirmed uneasily, and the look on his face was really painful tosee. At one instant it seemed as though defiance ruled; only to giveway to distress; as in imagination he saw these new-found friends, whohad been so very kind to him, in the hands of his infuriated clansmen, and being roughly treated. "Better not keep on down-river, sah!" he muttered. "They all knowsthat name o' Lancing. Sure I've heard many a shingle-maker curse it, an' say what he'd do tuh the new owner, if ever he dared show his faceon the river. An' what they'd do tuh your dad they'd like enough dotuh you. That's why I asks yuh to turn aroun' an' go back, while yuhhas the chanct. " "Why, you don't mean to say your people would try to harm us?" askedLarry, his round face showing signs of uneasiness. "They sure would, if they knowed his name was Lancing, " replied theother, doggedly. "They's a tough lot, seein' as how they lead a hardlife, an' they think they got a right to the land they built thershanties on. More'n once the sheriff he tried tuh git his man downyonder. Sho! they jest rode him on a rail, an' warned him if ever heshowed his face thar again they'd sure tar and feather him. An' let metell yuh, he ain't come back from that day to this'n. " "Well, " Phil went on, coolly, "I've heard all those things from thepeople of the town. They haven't one good word to say for McGee andhis tribe. But somehow I've got a notion that your folks ain't asblack as they're painted. And I'm banking on that idea just enough totake the risk of going on down there, even if it is bearding the lionin his den. " Tony shook his head dismally, and looked disappointed. "Wisht yuh wouldn't, " he muttered. "Yuh been good to me, an' I'd hatetuh know anything happened. " "Oh! that's all right, Tony, " said Phil, cheerfully. "Nothing's goingto happen--nothing bad, I mean. I'm not afraid to meet the terribleMcGee face to face. I just want to tell him something that will makehim change his mind pretty quick, I guess. " "And when they see that we've been good friends to you, Tony, " remarkedLarry, "they couldn't think to injure us. We come not in war but inpeace. Phil, my chum, has got an idea he can fix up this whole matterwithout a fight; and that when he comes away again, there won't be asingle squatter on the ten thousand acres his dad owns. " "Perhaps yuh mean well, but they wouldn't understand, " said the swampboy, laying a hand on the sleeve of Phil. "If yuh kept your namesecret nothin' might happen; but oh! just as soon as they learn thatDr. Lancing is your dad they're sure tuh go crazy. Then it'll be toolate. Even the McGee himself couldn't hold 'em back then, big as heis, and the strongest man in all Florida. " His pleading did not seem to have any effect however. Evidently Philhad the utmost confidence in himself, and his mission as well. He knewwhat he was carrying in his pocket, and had faith to believe that itwould win for him a welcome entirely the opposite of the rough greetingTony predicted. But then Phil had never met the lawless McGees, whosnapped their impudent fingers at the sheriff of the county, and didjust about as they liked; owning allegiance only to their terribleleader, whose name was the most hated one known along the upper reachesof the river. "There seems to be something of war between your people and these folksup in this section of the country, " Phil remarked, wishing to changethe conversation. "Has that always been so, and do they come to actualblows occasionally?" "Huh! none o' the McGees ever comes up thisaways; they knows better. And they ain't a single critter belongin' tuh the upper river as dastshow so much as the tip o' his nose down thar. They'd string him up;or give him a coat o' feathers. That's why my dad, he let me bring thelittle sister up; when he said as how he'd come hisself, mam and allthe rest wouldn't hear o' it nohow; case they just knowed they'd neversee him any more. If the sheriff didn't git him, some o' these cowardswould, with a bullet. " "Your father, then, must be hated almost as much as the McGee himself?"observed Larry. The swamp boy looked confused, and then hastily muttered: "I reckons as how he is, more p'raps. " "And you've never been up in this region before, Tony?" asked Larry. "Never has, sah. I wuks with the men, cuttin' shingles. It's the on'yway we has of getting money. Twict a yeah a boat creeps up the riverfrom the gulf and we loads the stacks o' shingles on her. More'n a fewtimes it been a tug that kim arter the cypress bunches. Onct I wentdown on a boat; and dad he took me tuh Pensacola. That's sure been theon'y time I ever was in a city. I got two books thar. " He said this last as though it might have been the most important partof his visit to civilization; and Phil smiled as he watched the varyingemotions on the eager face of the swamp boy whom he only knew as Tony. Then, as though he might have some reason for so doing, Phil once morereturned to the subject that seemed to be of prime importance in hissight. "Now about this big McGee, " he remarked; "is he such a terrible fellow, of whom even his own family keeps in terror?" "That's what every one says, sah, " returned the boy, quickly; "but'taint right tuh jedge a man by what his enemies tells. McGee is a bigman, a giant; he's strong as an ox; and his people they looks up tuhhim right smart. He's knocked a man down more'n once, with a blow fromhis fist; but 'twas when he needed a lesson. The McGee has a heart, sah, I give yuh my word on that. He keers a heap foh his wife and hischillen. " "Oh! then he has a wife and children?" remarked Phil, "and he thinksconsiderable of them, does he? Perhaps, after all, he may be moresinned against than sinning. You know of your own account that hecares for these children, do you?" "Sure I do, " replied the other, eagerly, and for the moment forgettinghis caution. "I tell yuh, sah, that if it hadn't been foh all o' thelot that wrastled with him, he would a-come up hisself with the littlegal, 'stead o' lettin' me do that same. " "Oh! you mean with Madge, your sister Madge?" cried Phil. The boy nodded his head, a little sullenly, as though realizing what amess he had made of the secret he had thought to keep a while longer, at least. "But why should the terrible McGee bother his head about you andMadge?" Phil demanded, smiling in Tony's face. Thereupon the swamp boy drew himself up proudly, as though he wereabout to announce himself the descendant of a race of kings, while hereplied: "Because, sah, the McGee is Madge's dad, an' mine! I'm Tony McGee!" CHAPTER IV DOWN THE SWIFT CURRENT Evidently Phil was not so very much surprised after all, at thisformidable announcement on the part of the boy with the sallow face. Perhaps he had even suspected something of the kind for quite a littletime back. At least such a thing would account for the way in which hehad been leading Tony along, until he unwittingly, in defending hisfather, gave his secret away. From the look on his face it seemed as though the boy half feared thatthese new friends would turn against him when they learned how McGeewas his father. He was therefore considerably surprised to have Philreach out, and grasp his hand in a warm clutch. "You knew my name as soon as you heard it, Tony, " he said, with a smilethat went straight to the heart of the ragged lad. "And ever sinceyou've been trying to get me to give up this mission of mine. It tellsme that you've already begun to think something of Phil Lancing. Andit encourages me to think your father will do the same, after he getsto know me. " But Tony shook his head, as if in great doubt. "Oh! if you knowed just how he's come to hate that name, you wouldn'tdast let him see yuh, " he said. "All sorts o' things has been told'bout how your dad meant tuh chase weuns off'n his land. Some evensays as how the soldiers was agwine tuh be used tuh hunt the squattersthrough the swamps whar they has lived always, an' which is the on'yhome they got. " "All of which is a lie made out of whole cloth, " declared Phil, indignantly, "my father isn't that sort of man. Why, he wanted to comedown here himself and meet the McGee face to face; but he had animportant lot of business on hand. Perhaps he may show up yet! Andwhen your father once comes to know him, he'll never have cause to feelsore toward Dr. Gideon Lancing, because he happens to be a rich man. " "I've heard 'em talkin' about it heaps, " said Tony, "an' they 'spect tohave tuh fight sooner or later. They's a hard lot, and live a wildlife. Yuh couldn't blame 'em much for hatin' the name of the man theylook on as their enemy. " "Wait a little while, Tony. I'm bound to meet your father, and see ifI can't change that stubborn mind of his. Perhaps I've got some magicabout me. Perhaps I could show him something that would change a foeinto a friend. Anyhow, all you say doesn't alter my mind a mite, " andPhil smiled into the troubled face of the swamp boy as he spoke. Larry had listened to all this with the greatest interest. While hemight to some extent share the confidence of his chum, still he did notfeel quite so positive about the warmth of their welcome by the lawlessband of shingle-makers peopling the lower reaches of the river thatemptied into the gulf. So they occasionally chatted as they moved along down the stream. Philasked a great variety of questions concerning the possibilities of thecountry they were now passing through, as a game preserve. "They's deer tuh be had aplenty, " Tony had answered, readily enough;"an' now an' then a b'ar. Cats and coons c'n be run across any oldtime. Once in a long spell yuh see a painter. Turkeys lie on thesunny sides o' the swales an' ridges. Then in heaps o' places yuh c'nscare up flocks o' pa'tridges as fat as butter. " "They call quail by that name down here, " remarked Phil, turning toLarry; "just as they call our black bass of the big mouth species a'trout' in Florida. You have to understand these things, or elseyou'll get badly mixed up. And Tony, my chum here wants to know howabout squirrels; for he thinks he could bag a few of that species ofsmall game, given a chance, with my Marlin pump-gun. " "Sho! no end o' 'em along the hamaks, both grays an' fox squirrels, "replied the swamp boy; "they's a tough lot though; and weuns alwaysboils a squirrel fust before we fries him. " "I've done that many a time myself, " laughed Phil; "so I guess thefrisky little nut-crackers are about the same, North and South. Butthey make a good stew all right, when a fellow's sharp set with hunger. I can remember eating a mess, and thinking it the finest supper ever. " A good many miles had been covered by the time the afternoon waned;although not a great deal of southing may have been made. That riverwas the greatest thing to curve, and twist back on its course, Phil hadever met with. He declared that in some places he could throw a stoneacross a neck of land into the water which the boat had passed overhalf an hour back. "Makes me think of a great big snake moving along over the ground, "Larry had declared as he discussed this feature of the stream with theothers. But Tony assured them that as they progressed further this peculiaritywould for the most part gradually vanish, and the river, growing widerand deeper, act in a more sensible manner. The country was certainly as wild as heart could wish. "Just to think, " Larry had remarked, "outside of a few shanties belowthe town we haven't set eyes on the first sign of a man all afternoon. Why, a feller might imagine himself in the heart of Africa, or someother tropical country. Look at that big blue heron wading in thewater ahead, would you? There he flaps his wings, and is off, with hislong legs sticking out from under him like a fishing pole. " "Which is just about what they are, " returned Phil; "since he has touse them to get his regular fish dinner right along. There's a whitecrane; and what d'ye call that other handsome white bird that just gotup, Tony?" "Ibis. Ain't so many 'round hyah nowadays as they used tuh be. Somefellers gits on tuh their roosts and nestin' places, an' kills thebirds when they got young uns. My dad just hates them critters likepizen. He caught a cracker onct as done it, an' they give him a coat, all right. He never dast shoot another bird ag'in, I'm tellin' yuh. " "Meaning that they tarred and feathered him?" said Phil, who was betterable to grasp the meaning of the swamp boy than innocent Larry, to whomall such language was like Hebrew or Greek. "Well, I'm glad to hearthat your father has such notions. And it tells me he isn't the savagesome of these up-river people tried to make us believe. For any manwho would shoot the mother birds, and leave the young to starve in thenests, just for the sake of a dollar or two, ought to get tarred andfeathered! Them's my sentiments, Tony!" "Hear! hear! ditto! Count me in!" chirped Larry, nodding his headpositively; for he had a tender heart; and the plaintive cry ofstarving nestlings would appeal to him strongly--even though he hadnever as yet heard such a thing. "I believe that a true sportsman ought to never destroy more game thanhe can make use of, " Phil continued, for the subject was one very closeto his heart. "My father taught me that long ago; and I've grown tothink more of it right along. I've known men to throw trout by dozensup on the bank, when their creel was as full as it could hold. Theyseemed to think that unless a fish was killed there could be no fun incapturing it. " "Say, don't they call those kind of chaps game butchers?" asked Larry. "Right you are, Larry; and I'm glad to see that you've got the breedsized up to a dot. I'd let a deer trot past me without pulling triggerif I knew we had all the meat we could use in camp. " "But just now that doesn't happen to apply, " remarked the other, pointedly. "Hold the wheel for a minute, Larry, quick!" said Phil, in a low, thrilling tone. He instantly snatched up the repeating gun as soon as his chum'sfingers had closed upon the steering wheel. Larry turned his eyes tolook ahead, for he realized that his companion must have seen something. A crashing sound was heard. Then he had a glimpse of a dun coloredobject flitting through the scrub palmettoes under the pines. "Oh! that was a deer, wasn't it?" Larry exclaimed. Phil had lowered his gun, with an expression akin to disappointment onhis face. "Just what it was, " he said; "and he got away scot free, all right, thanks to that scrub interfering with my aim. Well, better luck nexttime, Larry. I think I'm safe in saying you will have venison beforelong. " "But, " interrupted the other, as he worked valiantly at the wheel, forthey had come to an abrupt turn of the river, "I saw him skip past. Why didn't you shoot anyhow and take chances?" "I might if I'd had a rifle, " answered Phil; "but the distance was sofar that I knew there was a mighty poor show of my bringing him downwith scattering buckshot. I'd hate to just wound the poor beast, andhave him suffer. If we could have come closer before he scampered off, it would have been different. " Possibly few boys would have allowed themselves to hesitate under suchconditions; but as Phil said, he had been taught what he knew ofwoodcraft by a father who was very careful about taking the life hecould never give back again. After that Larry kept constantly on the alert watching ahead, in thehope of discovering another deer, which might be brought down by hisquick acting chum. "Of course we won't try to run along after night sets in, " remarkedLarry, as he noted how low in the west the glowing sun had fallen. "Well, not if we know it, " laughed Phil. "It's all a fellow can donow, with the broad daylight to help him guide this boat around thecorners, and avoiding snags. Look at that half submerged log aheadthere, will you? Suppose we ran full tilt on that now, what a finehole there would be punched in the bow of the Aurora, to let the riverin. No, we're going to stop pretty soon. " "That means to tie up for the night, don't it?" queried Larry, alwayswanting to know. "If we can find a tree handy, which will always be the case along theriver, I take it, " Phil replied. "We carry an anchor of course; but Idon't expect to use that till we get to the big gulf. Tony, supposeyou keep an eye out for the right tying-up place, will you?" The two chums had talked the matter over when they had a chance, whileTony happened to be at the other end of the boat; and thus decided tocoax the swamp boy to don some extra clothes they had along with them. He was not so much smaller than Phil, and if he was to make one oftheir party they felt that it would look better for him to discard therags he was then wearing. Tony took it in the right spirit, and after a bath in the river thatevening he said he would be only too glad to deck himself out in thetrousers, flannel shirt and moccasins which Phil offered. The big redM on the breast of Larry's shirt, which was to become his property, seemed to take the eye of the swamp lad more than anything else. Ofcourse it stood for Madison, the name of the baseball club the Northernboy belonged to; but it was easy to feel that it also represented themagic name of McGee. Tony presently called out that their stopping place was just ahead. SoPhil shut off power, after he had gently swung the boat in near theleft bank. The setting pole, which every boat cruising in Floridawaters invariably carries, was brought into use, and in this way thenose of the Aurora touched the shore. Larry immediately tumbled over the side, rope in hand, whipping thesame around a sentinel tree that stood close to the water's edge, as iffor the special use of voyagers. Once the boat was "snubbed" the current swung her around until her bowpointed up stream; and in this position she would rest easy during thenight. But Phil made doubly sure against accidents by going ashore, and seeing that Larry had fashioned the proper sort of hitch knot withthe stout cable. "There's still half an hour of daylight, fellows, " sang out Phil, as hepicked up his gun, together with the belt of shells; "and while youamuse yourselves here, I think I'll take a little walk around. Possibly another deer might heave in sight, or even a wild turkey. " "Yum! yum! you make my mouth water, Phil, " mumbled Larry, who wasalready getting out some fishing tackle, with the idea of trying for abass in the brownish waters below the tied-up launch. "Keep an eye out for rattlers!" warned Tony. "You just believe I will, " called Phil, over his shoulder. "I've gotmy leather leggins on though, which would be some protection. But Idon't care to interview the fangs of a big diamondback. So-long, boys;see you later!" CHAPTER V WHAT HAPPENED ON THE FIRST NIGHT When Phil walked away from the spot where the power boat was secured, with his two companions aboard, he did not mean to go far. Night wouldsoon swoop down on the wilderness; and from former unpleasantexperiences the young hunter knew what it was to be lost. This was his first experience in Florida sport, and he knew that he hadlots to learn; but he was a boy who always kept his eyes and ears open;and besides, had a general knowledge of the many things peculiar to thecountry. He had mapped out a little turn in his mind. By moving directly eastfor perhaps ten minutes, then turning sharply north, and proceeding forthe same length of time, after which he would swing into the southwest, Phil believed he might cover quite a stretch of territory, and standfew chances of missing the river. He pushed on through patches of the ever-present saw palmetto, with itsqueer roots thrust out of the ground, and as large as a man's leg. Phil never ceased to be interested in this strange product of thesouthern zone, even if he did manage to stumble over the up-liftedroots more than once. The pine woods proved rather open, since they had halted for the firstnight in a region where there was something of a swamp on one side ofthe river, and high land on the other. Tony had of course selected thelatter for their stopping place. Phil noticed that he had the breeze on the left as he advanced; and itwas toward this quarter in particular that he kept his eyes turned; forif he was to get near a feeding deer it would have to be with theanimal toward the wind. When he made his first turn, and headed north, the conditions werestill more favorable, since he was now walking directly into the breeze. Once he heard the whirr of little wings. He had flushed a covey ofquail; but as his mind was at the time set on nobler game, and thechance for a shot not particularly good, he did not attempt to fire;though naturally his gun flew up to his shoulder through the hunterinstinct. "Looks good to me ahead there?" he muttered, as he noticed some patchesof green in open spots or little glades. "If there's a deer around, Iought to find him feeding at this hour of the afternoon. " With this idea pressing upon his mind he began to advance cautiously inthe direction of the glades; keeping his body sheltered by the scrub, and his eyes on the alert for a moving red form. Five, ten minutes he employed in making his "creep, " but he found thatit was time well spent; for as he finally reached the spot he had beenaiming for, he discovered a deer within easy gunshot, calmly feeding. Phil repressed any emotion that would have overcome a greenhorn at thefine prospect for a shot. He saw that the animal was a bit suspicious, since it frequently raised its head to sniff the air, and look timidlyaround. That meant a quick shot, while the chance remained. Once the animaltook the alarm it would bound away on wings of fear; and Phil knew thatit was not so easy to hit a leaping deer, especially when trees andscrub intervened. So he raised his Marlin at a time when the deer's head was lowered. Perhaps even this cautious movement may have stirred some leaf, for hesaw that graceful head quickly raised. The deer was looking straightat him. "Bang!" No sooner had Phil fired than he sent the empty shell flying with oneswift movement of the forearm; and by another action brought a freshshell into place. Thus he was instantly ready to shoot again, somarvelously did the clever mechanism of the up-to-date firearm work. No second shot, however, was needed. One look convinced the youngNimrod of that pleasant fact. The deer had fallen, and seemed to bekicking its last on the grass. Phil hastily advanced, still holding his gun in readiness for instantaction in case of necessity; for he had heard of wounded deer jumpingup, and in a rage attacking the hunter. When he reached the side of his quarry, however, the last movement hadceased; and Phil knew he had secured the game for which Larry had beenpining so long. "My! what a little chap!" he exclaimed. "Now I wonder if it can be ayoungster; and yet look at the full-fledged antlers, would you? Butthen it seems to me I was told the deer down South were all muchsmaller than up in the Adirondacks. I believe I can carry this fellowto the boat without any help. " He soon lifted the game, and swung it to his back. Then, managing togrip his gun in one hand, he took his bearings again, and started off. Phil was too experienced a woodsman to easily get lost. And he hadfixed the points of the compass so well in his mind that, just as heexpected, he actually struck the river a short distance above thetied-up motor boat. Larry was still fishing away, and so engrossed in playing a bass thathad taken his bait that he did not at first notice the returninghunter. Having finally succeeded in dragging his prize aboard, withthe help of Tony, he was made aware of the coming of his chum throughlow words spoken by the swamp boy. One look Larry gave; then seeing what it really was Phil carried on hisshoulders he let out a whoop that might have been heard a mile. "Venison for supper, with fish! Wow! ain't we going to live high, though? Delmonico isn't in it with we, us and company tonight. See, I've caught three fine bass, Phil; and didn't they pull like sixty, though? My arms are real sore after the job of getting them in. And Ididn't break your nice pole, either. " "Which was very kind of you, old fellow, " said Phil. "Somebody pleasetake my gun, so I can dump this deer on the ground. I bled him, Tony;but when we cut the venison up, we don't want to make a mess aboard. And that limb up yonder will be just the ticket to hang him fromover-night, to keep our meat away from any prowling cats. " Larry drew in his line and put away his fishing rod, which of coursewas to him only a "pole. " He immediately busied himself in gettingready to cook supper. And presently everybody seemed hard at work. Tony was cleaning the fish, Phil getting some slices from the haunch ofthe deer; and Larry peeling potatoes which they had secured in theriver town that morning. A couple of lanterns gave all the light needed when night gatheredaround them. And after all it was not so dark; for the moon happenedto be more than half full, and being nearly overhead, shone down nicely. Phil pounded the steaks he had cut off, hoping in this way to make themsomewhat more tender. A fire was built ashore, since they had need tosave their kerosene when it could be just as well done as not. Over this Larry got busy. He had all the assistance he required; foras soon as the coffee got to boiling, the fish to frying, after beingplaced in a pan where some salt pork had been tried out; and thevenison to browning, the mingled odors caused every fellow to realizethat he was mighty hungry. As long as he lived Larry would probably never forget that first supperin the wilderness. It seemed to him as though he might be living in anenchanted land; with that silvery moon shining overhead, the firesparkling near by, and all those delightful dishes awaiting attention. Food never tasted one half so delicious as it did right then; foralready was Larry beginning to get the hunter's zest, what with theozone in the air, and the prospect for happy days ahead. And when they could eat no more there was still quite a quantity of thecooked food left over, which Larry stowed away in a couple of pansagainst breakfast. With Tony's help Phil managed to draw the carcass of the deer up someten feet from the ground. It looked quite weird swinging there in themoonlight; but Larry chuckled with pleasure every time his eyes rovedthat way. He had declared the venison was all that he had expected it to be; andvowed it equaled any ordinary beefsteak he had ever eaten. "Next time we try it, though, " Larry said, "I'm going to fry a mess ofthose nice big onions we've got along. Always did have a weakness forsteak with onions. " "Let's talk about something else besides eating, " remarked Phil. "Well, how d'ye like your coffee then, with this evaporated cream init?" asked the cook, as he lifted his tin cup, and proceeded to drainit. "It's all to the good, and touches the right spot, " Phil laughed; andthen added, to get his chum's mind off the subject: "How many more daysjourney lie ahead of us, Tony, before we strike the region where theshingle-makers live?" The swamp boy seemed to consider. "If we make good time tomorrow, it ought to be only one more day afterthat, " he remarked, with convincing positiveness. "Well, we don't expect to rush things, " said Phil; "but since there'san ugly piece of business ahead, I mean to get it over with as soon asI can, with reason. One more night, and then we'll come in touch withyour people, eh?" "If yuh don't change your mind some, an' turn back, " replied the other;with a vein of pleading in his smooth Southern voice that quite touchedPhil. He knew what influenced the swamp boy; who was fearful lest some harmbefall the new-found friend who had become so dear to him, even thougha span of a day would cover their acquaintance. "How about our being disturbed tonight by some hungry wildcat thatmight scent fresh blood, and think to dine on our fine deer up yonder?"and Phil nodded his head up toward the swaying bundle--for the game hadbeen partly skinned, and was now wrapped up in the hide. "That might be, " returned the other, carelessly. "All depends if tharbe a hungry cat aroun'. Hear 'em, and get a shot. " "Oh! my! do you really think such a thing could happen?" exclaimedLarry, a bit uneasily as though he wondered whether an agile wildcatmight not take a notion to jump into the launch while up in theoverhanging tree. "Don't worry about it, Chum Larry, " said Phil soothingly. "Thisstationary top would keep him from getting aboard, you see. But incase you hear a shot during the night, just remember what we've beentalking about. " "All right, I will, " Larry observed; and later on when makingpreparations for sleeping he was unusually careful to tuck himself wellin, and draw down the curtains close to him, fastening them securelywith the grummets that were meant to clutch the round-headed screwsalong the side. Phil himself was secretly wishing a hungry cat might come sneakingalong, to climb up in the tree, and tackle their meat; for he wanted tohave the satisfaction of saying he had shot a Florida bobcat; and inprotecting their stores he could find plenty of excuses for making waron such a beast. So he arranged things when laying down, in order to allow of a peep atany time he woke up. As long as the moon remained above the horizon, which would be until after midnight, he could plainly see that darkobject swinging from the limb of the tree above. None of them dreamed of the various things that were fated to come topass ere the journey's end was reached. Could stout hearted Phil havehad a fleeting vision of what lay before them, even he might havehesitated about going on. But he fully believed that he was carryingan olive branch of peace that could not fail to subdue the truculentnature of the dreaded McGee. And it was in that confident spirit hefell asleep. Possibly a couple of hours may have passed when he awakened, feelingrather cramped from lying on one side so long. Before turning over, heremembered his intention to take occasional peeps up at the meat thathad been swung aloft; and raising the flap of the loose curtain he casthis eyes in that quarter. The moon was lower now, but still shone brightly. And he could withoutany particular trouble make out the dark object which he knew must bethe suspended package of venison. Nothing seemed to be near it, savethe usual branches of the tree; and Phil was about to give a satisfiedgrunt, after which he would roll over the other way, when somehow hebecame convinced that the bundle appeared much larger than previously. Watching closely he made a startling discovery. There was some objectflattened out on top of the deer, for he plainly saw it move, as thougha head were being raised. And what was evidently the truth burst uponhim. A wildcat had climbed the tree while they slept, and was nowtrying to get at the venison! CHAPTER VI "SAVING THE BACON!" Phil reached for his gun. Luckily he had it close by, even thoughhardly expecting to make use of it during the night. He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have beenpure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might havedetected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, andsignified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast. Now the gun was being carefully pushed forth, advantage being taken ofthe opening under the canvas cover, where Phil had released a couple ofthe grummets. He wondered just how he was to get the butt against hisshoulder, under such peculiar conditions; but where there's a willthere nearly always can be found a way; and in the end this difficultywas bridged over. Then he thought of Larry. What a fright the sudden roar of the gun inthe confined space under the canopy would give his chum. But Phil hadwarned him against being alarmed in case of a shot during the night. Was the cat still there? Looking closely he could see a movement as though the animal might havefinally reached the meat through the covering, and was busily engagedchewing at it. "Think of the nerve of the thing!" Phil was saying under his breath, ashe got ready to fire. The report quickly followed. Phil, once he was ready, began to have afear lest the animal take sudden alarm, and make a leap that wouldcarry it beyond his range of vision. And the more he thought over thething the greater became his desire to punish the beast for itsaudacity. "Thunder!" shouted Larry, as he came floundering off his made-up bed, landing in a struggling heap in the bottom of the motor boat. "Oh! no, not quite so bad as that, " laughed Phil, himself gaining anupright position; and trying the best he could to throw out the oldshell, so that he might have the pump-gun in serviceable shape again. Tony seemed to be the least disturbed of the lot. Familiarity withalarms had considerable to do with it, no doubt. He had started toopen the flap of the canvas cover nearest him, so that he could thrusthis head out. "What happened, Phil?" asked Larry, as he sat up on the floor of theboat. "Why, I just saved our bacon; or to be plainer, our venison, " laughedthe other. "Oh! was something running away with it, then?" demanded Larry, beginning to get upon his knees as the first step toward rising. "Something was making way with it, which is about the same thing, "replied Phil. "W-was it a bobcat?" continued Larry. "Listen!" As Phil said this one word they could hear a fierce growling, accompanied by a strange scurrying sound. It came from the shore closeto the boat. "Will it come in here after us, Phil?" asked the more timid member ofthe firm, as he tried to find the hatchet which he remembered seeingsomewhere close by at the time he lay down on his cot. "How about that, Tony; do you think there's any danger of such a thinghappening?" queried Phil, turning to the swamp boy. "Getting weaker all the time, " came the ready reply. "I think yuh givehim all in the gun. Kick the bucket purty soon now. " Tony thrust the curtains more fully aside. Then he crept out andreached the shore; nor was Phil far behind him. The latter, however, not being quite so confident as Tony, insisted on carrying his Marlinrepeater along. If the dying cat gave evidence of a desire to attackthem, he wanted to be in shape to finish matters on the spot. There was really no need. Even as he arrived on the scene the strickenanimal gave one last convulsive shudder, and stiffened out. "Good shot that!" remarked Tony, admiringly, as he bent over to seewhere Phil had struck the midnight marauder. "Wow! what a savage looking pussy!" exclaimed Larry, joining theothers. "I'd everlastingly hate to run up against such a customer inthe pine woods. Say, if a fellow like that pounced down on my backsome time, what ought I to do?" "Lie down, and roll, " laughed Phil; who knew that down here in thiswarm country, where food is plenty, no wildcat would be bold enough toopenly attack a human being without provocation. Tony immediately started to shin up the tree, desirous of ascertainingthe extent of damage done. When he came down he announced that thebeast had just succeeded in tearing a way in to the venison; but hadeaten very little of it, thanks to Phil chancing to awaken when he did. So, as the night air felt rather chilly, they soon bundled back intothe boat again, and sought to secure more sleep. There was no further alarm that night, and Larry was glad when his chumaroused him by saying that morning had arrived. The sun was beginning to gild the eastern heavens when they started toget breakfast. Larry took a look all around, after what he fanciedwould be the manner of an old sea dog; and then gravely announced hisopinion as to the weather. "Guess we're going to have another fine day of it. No sign of red inthat sunrise; and the few fleecy white clouds don't whisper rain. Youknow, Phil, I'm taking considerable interest in weather predictionsthese days. Got an old almanac along, to compare notes. I hazard aguess first, and then look up what old Jerold says we're going to have. " "Well, how do his predictions pan out?" asked Phil. "Oh! nine times out of ten it happens just the opposite to what hesays. That's the fun of the thing. He knows how to tell what theweather ain't going to be; and to my mind that's going some. Now, whatshall we eat this morning?" "Any of those fresh eggs left we bought from that old cracker justoutside the town limits?" asked the head of the expedition. "Half adozen, you say? Good! Suppose you give us an omelet for a change. They might get broken, anyway; and we'd better have the use of 'em. " "What will you do with that awful beast out there, Phil?" "Tony is going to look after him for me, " replied the one who had shotthe bobcat thief. "He says it is a very fine skin, and that sometimeI'll be glad to have it made into a little door mat. He knows how totake it off, and stretch it on a contrivance he expects to make. Yousee, he's handy at all such things. Necessity is a great teacher. Ifyou just had to go hungry for two whole days, Larry, I really believeyou could do it. " "Perhaps I could, " sighed the other; "but thank goodness, just atpresent there's no need of fasting, while we've got all these bullystores aboard, and that haunch of prime venison hanging up there. Suppose you drop it down, Tony, if you don't mind climbing the treeagain. Two eggs apiece ain't going to fill the bill; and the taste Ihad of that venison last night haunts me still. " At that Phil chuckled. "Seems to me, just before we went to bed I saw you getting away withthe surplus we put in that pan, " he remarked. "Oh! that was only a little snack, " replied the unabashed Larry. "Thisair seems to tone up a fellow's appetite some. Given a week or two ofthe open life, and I have hopes that my usual appetite will come backto me again. " Of course the breakfast was a success. Larry could cook, even if hedid lack many of the qualities that should be found in a woodsman; andwas woefully ignorant as to the thousand and one things connected withthe great outdoors. Still, Phil had hopes of him. From time to time he kept dinningcertain facts into the ears of his chum. These concerned the secretsof the open, and which at times are so important to any one who daresventure into the woods. He explained for instance, to his boat mate, just how to learn thedirection of the compass from the sun, the marks on the trees, and evenhis watch, if put to it. He showed him how to make a fire without amatch, by the use of friction, after the manner of savage tribes whonever knew flint and steel, or a brimstone stick. He explained toLarry how easy it was to cook game, by making a fire in a hole until ithad become very hot, and then placing the meat therein; sealing theoven until hours had elapsed; which backwoods method of cooking wasreally the first fireless cooker known. In these and dozens of other ways Phil daily taught his chum. Larryevinced considerable interest in the matter so long as his comrade wasspeaking; but that was about as far as it went. He did not have thespirit in him; and the seed fell on barren ground. Larry would neverin all his life make a genuine woodsman. But if he kept on, he mightin time get a job in a restaurant over the grill, so Phil assured him, as he complimented Larry on the fine omelet. An hour later they left the place which Larry called "Wildcat Camp" inhis log of the motor boat cruise. Larry was full of high spirits. Indeed, it was hard for him to keepfrom showing his bubbling good nature at any and all times. Phil tooseemed quite contented with the way things were moving along. Only theswamp boy gave evidence of increasing uneasiness. Tony would sit there as if lost in thought, his eyes fastened on thefrank face of the young fellow for whom he had come to entertain such alively sense of friendship in the short time he had known him. Then hewould sigh, and shake his head dolefully, as though he foresaw troublesarising which he would fain ward off, if only Phil would accept hisearnest advice, and turn around before it was too late. But Phil believed he had that on his person which would change theterrible McGee from a bitter enemy into a good friend; and confident inhis own honorable intentions he never dreamed of turning back. CHAPTER VII LARRY CATCHES THE FEVER "Looks like there ought to be some game around here!" Strange to say it was Larry who made this remark. They had tied up atnoon, and made a fire ashore, at which the midday meal was prepared. Phil seemed in no particular hurry to proceed afterward; and Larry, whohad been "mousing" around, as he called it, surprised his chum bydeclaring that the appearance of the country indicated the presence ofgame. Perhaps the many talks of Phil were beginning to bear fruit. Thenagain it might be Larry rather envied his chum the glory of killingthat marauding bobcat; the skin of which at some future day Phil wouldhave made a fine mat, at which he could point, and carelessly speak ofthe "time when he knocked that beast out of a tree, while the moon wasshining, and his companions sound asleep. " More likely than either of these, however, Phil believed his chum wasyearning for a variety in the bill of fare. Quail on toast wouldstrike Larry about right; or even rabbit or squirrel stew; provided themeat for the pot were the product of his skill as a Nimrod. "Suppose you take the gun, and prowl around a bit!" he suggested, moreas a joke than because he dreamed lazy Larry would accept theproposition. "All right!" exclaimed the other, with surprising alacrity. "Me to dothe sneaking act, and see if I can hit a flock of barns. You know Idid manage to break one of those bottles you threw up that day, Phil, even if you said I shut my eyes every time I pulled the trigger. Allthe more credit to me. It takes a smart marksman to hit a flyingobject with his eyes shut. Just think what a miracle I'd be if I kept'em open! Gimme the gun, and let me hie forth. Quail for supperwouldn't go bad; but if it should be wild turkey, why, I suppose we'lljust have to stand it. " Phil hardly knew whether he was doing right to let Larry saunter forth. Even after he had handed the Marlin over, he shook his head dubiously. "Don't go far, now, " he said, warningly; "and try and be back hereinside of an hour. If you ain't, we'll look you up. And remember, Larry, if you should get lost don't go to wandering everlastinglyabout. Just stop short, make a fire, and get all the black smokerising you can. This fat pine makes a great smudge, you know, andmight guide us to you. " "Huh! Lost, me?" cried Larry, pretending to be very indignant. "Why, after all you've been and told me it would be simply impossible! I'llknow where I am every time. " "Oh! yes, " laughed Phil; "just like the Indian did, we read about, eh?" "How was that?" demanded Larry, as he buckled the belt of shells aroundhis generous waist. "Why, once upon a time an old Indian actually wandered around severaldays without being able to locate his home. That's pretty hard tobelieve, but the story runs that way. Then some white men came acrosshim, hungry and tired. They asked him if he was lost, and the oldfellow got mad right away. Smacking himself on his chest proudly, hesaid: 'Injun lost? No, Injun not lost; wigwam lost--Injun here!' Andthat's the way it would be with you. Now get along, and be sure youbring in the game. I changed the buckshot shells for birdshot; but putthese heavy loads in your pocket in case you need them. " So Larry trotted gaily forth. He fancied he looked every inch a Nimrodin his new corduroy suit, and with the gun under his arm, carried inthe same way he had seen his chum do it many a time. But then Larrydid not know that the hunter who wears an old jacket, with a patch onthe right shoulder where a hole has been worn by constant friction fromcarrying a gun, is most apt to inspire respect in the minds of thosewho can size the true sportsman up. Phil was rather sleepy, for he had not secured all the rest he wantedon the preceding night. So he stretched out on the ground, and dozed. Every little while he would arouse himself, and consult his littlenickel timepiece. Tony was busy scraping the hide of the wildcat, andfixing it on a stretcher which he had ingeniously fashioned out of aheavy strip of bark, straightened out flat, and held so by a couple ofsticks secured to the back. "Time that greenhorn was back, Tony, " Phil finally remarked, as he satup. "By the way, did you hear a shot a little while ago, perhaps halfan hour?" Tony said he had, and he could also tell the exact direction fromwhence it had sprung. "How far away was it, do you think?" continued Phil, seriously. "'Bout half mile, I reckons, " came the reply, without hesitation. "The air is from that quarter too, I notice; and of course you takethat into consideration when you figure on the distance?" "Oh! yes, I know, " nodded Tony. "But half a mile--he ought to have been back before now. We'll wait alittle while longer, and then if he don't show up I guess we'll justhave to go after him. " Tony did not reply; but judging from the little smile that crossed hisface, it was evident that the swamp boy felt pretty confident theywould have to take up the hunt. He had sized Larry up pretty readilyas a failure in woodcraft, and a sure enough tenderfoot of the worsttype. "No signs of him yet, " announced Phil after a bit, rising to his feet;while a look of growing concern began to come upon his face. "I wassilly to let him take the risk. Ought to have known Larry would bungleit, if there was half a chance. And now, Tony, what had we better do, follow his tracks, or head straight in the direction that shot camefrom. " "Follow trail, " the other answered promptly. "You are sure we will be able to keep on it, all right?" continued Phil. "I think so, " replied the swamp boy, with a smile of assurance; asthough he looked upon such a test as of little moment; for what had hebeen learning all of his life if not to accomplish just such tasks? "All right then; let's get busy. " First of all Phil dashed off a few lines on a scrap of paper, tellingLarry, if he hit camp while they were absent, to settle down by theboat, and wait for them. This he stuck in the cleft of a dead palmettoleaf stem, which in turn he thrust in the ground in front of thetied-up motor boat. Then he followed Tony into the scrub. The swamp boy walked along withhis head bent slightly over. His keen eyes were doubtless picking upthe plain marks made by clumsy Larry as he wandered forth in search ofthe coveted quail, which he hoped to adorn sundry pieces of toast thatevening. Phil too was keeping tabs on the trail, though he realized that ifthere arose any knotty problem that Tony could not solve, his ownknowledge would hardly avail. It was a very erratic line of tracks. Larry evidently had noparticular plan of campaign marked out when he sallied forth. If hegradually bore to the left it was because of that well known failingthat all greenhorns tracking through the forest, or over the openprairie, fall heir too; in which the right side of their bodies beingthe stronger, they gradually veer to the left, until, given timeenough, they may even make a complete circle. Tony pointed out just where the hunter, fancying he had sighted game, began to sneak up on it. Why, he could read every movement Larry hadmade from the marks left behind, just as readily as though he wereactually watching him. "But he didn't shoot here, after all?" said Phil. "No, p'raps game fly away; or mebbe all a mistake, " Tony replied. "Seeno empty shell near where he kneel in sand. He go on further, thisaways, " and he once more led off through the woods. After a while Phil believed they must be close to the place where hischum had discharged his gun just once. Nor was he much surprised whenTony suddenly darted sideways, and picked up an empty shell. "Here shoot all right; camp over thar!" said the swamp boy, pointingwithout hesitation through the timber; doubtless the direction of thewind aided him in thus fixing the location of the boat in his mind. "But what could he have shot at?" exclaimed Phil. "I don't see anysign of game around here, do you?" "Start on run fast, " remarked Tony, pointing down to the ground, asthough he had read that fact there in the change of the footprints. "Then perhaps he did hit something!" exclaimed Phil. "Let's follow andsee if there's any sign. It may have been only a hamak fox squirrel hesaw, and thought to bag, so he wouldn't have to come in with emptyhands. " "No, wild turkey!" declared Tony, holding up a feather his quick eyehad detected on the ground. "Well, however in the wide world d'ye suppose that clumsy chum of mineever managed to get close enough to such wary game to knock a featherfrom it?" laughed Phil; "but he must have wounded the bird, for he'sgone headlong through the woods here in full chase. " They followed on for some time. Phil began to wonder how Larry everkept up the pace. Truly the hunter instinct must have been aroused atlast in the fat boy to have caused him to thus wildly exert himself. And in the excitement he doubtless forgot all about the directionsgiven him by his chum. "Why, he's going further and further away from camp all the time!"announced Phil presently. "Heap game Larry, " grinned the swamp boy, who doubtless understood thenew spirit that was urging the other on, with his wounded gameconstantly tantalizing him. "Hark!" cried Phil, as he held up his hand warningly. "Did you hearthat?" "Help! oh! help!" came faintly from some point away ahead. CHAPTER VIII HELD FAST When Larry started out upon this, his very first hunt alone, he wasfilled with a newborn ambition. But before he had wandered for tenminutes he began to feel the heat, and wished he had not been so sillyas to imagine he were cut out for a mighty Nimrod. Several times he stumbled over unseen roots of the ever-present sawpalmetto. Fortunately he did not have the hammer of his gun raised atthe time, or there might have been a premature explosion. When twenty minutes had gone he was beginning to feel angry at himselfbecause he had voluntarily undertaken this task, for which nature hadnever fitted him. Still, he was possessed of some grit, and disliked very much the ideaof showing the white feather. At any rate, he would keep away the fullhour, and then try to locate the camp. Phil could not then have thelaugh on him; for even the best of hunters have their hard luck days. Several times he saw frisky squirrels looking curiously at him aroundsome tree. He was even tempted to try and bag a few of these littlefellows, for after all they were game; and perhaps more in his linethan swift flying quail, or the bounding deer. But every time he thusdecided, the squirrel seemed to guess his hostile intentions; for itvanished from sight, running up the other side of the live oak, andlosing itself amid the abundant foliage. Now half an hour had gone. It was really time he turned back, andheaded for the motor boat. That caused Larry to wonder if he couldactually figure out which the proper direction might be; so he sat himdown on a log for a brief rest, while he carried on his mentalcalculations. When he started on again Larry actually believed he waspushing straight for camp; when truth to tell he was heading at anangle of thirty degrees away from the same. Then, as he was stumbling along through the scrub, lo! and behold hesaw a moving object ahead. What it was he did not even know as hethrew the gun to his shoulder, completely shut his eyes when pullingthe trigger, and blazed away. When he looked again it was to see a big turkey gobbler flutteringalong over the ground, with a broken leg and wing. Filled with greatjoy Larry gave a whoop, and started in pursuit. That was his undoing. Little he thought of what a chase that stricken gobbler was giving him. In and out of the swampy places, and through the more open woods, hekept in pursuit. There were times when he actually was so close upon the prize that hebegan to thrust out his eager hand, bent on capturing the wounded bird. Then, as if given a new lease of life, the turkey would again flutteraway, with the panting Larry hot on the track. More than once he was tempted to give the thing up, he felt so out ofbreath and exhausted from the heat and his exertions combined. And atsuch times the miserable bird would squat down on the ground, just asif tempting him to further labor; so once more he would start inpursuit. The queerest part of the whole affair, as Larry himself realized lateron, was that in all this time he utterly forgot that he carried a gunin which there were five more unused shells; and that a dozen times hecould have made use of the weapon to finish the flutterings of thesorely stricken turkey. Finally the desperate bird managed to flap across a swampy stretch, anddrop on the opposite patch of firm ground. Larry gave the nearestapproach to a cry of victory his depleted lungs would allow; for he sawthat the turkey had finally given up the ghost, and died! But how was he to reach it? As far as he could see the same stretch ofquaking bog extended. In patches water even lay upon it; and thebalance was black mud. He tried it here and there, finally striking a spot where it seemed tohold up fairly well under his weight. And so, laying down the preciousgun, he started out, intending to pick his way carefully over the muck, under the belief that if he looked he could see where the seeming ridgelay just under the surface. About the time he got half way across Larry began to have seriousdoubts as to the wisdom of his course. He seemed to be sinking indeeper all the while, so that he even grew alarmed. Standing still fora minute to look around him, in order to ascertain whether there mightnot yet be found a safe causeway over to the solid ground where hiswild turkey lay so temptingly, he was forced to the humiliatingconclusion that it was useless in his keeping on. Tony, having been born and brought up in the swamps, might know justhow to go about the thing; but what could be expected of a newbeginner? He must go back, and give up all hopes of ever laying handson the first game that had ever fallen to his gun as a hunter. Andsuch noble game, too! Why, Phil would never believe his story. He would have nothing to showfor it, not even so much as a feather. To his horror, when he tried to turn around, he found that he could notlift so much as a foot; and looking down he was startled to see that hehad, even while thinking the thing over, sunk in to his knees. For the first time Larry began to tremble with fright. He had heard ofquicksands, and while this black ooze could hardly be called by such aname, it was certainly a quagmire. Perhaps it did not have any bottom--perhaps he would keep on sinkinginch by inch until his head went under! And when Phil and Tony camealong later, they might only learn his fate from seeing the gun on onebank, and the dead turkey on the other. He strained with all his might. Now he managed to get one footcomparatively free; but as all his weight came on the other, that sankdown two inches, instead of just one. Wild with fear Larry started to shouting. At first his voice wasstrong, for he was thoroughly worked up; but after a little while hefound that he was getting husky. So he stopped calling, and devotedhimself to finding out whether there might not be some way by means ofwhich he could save himself. Possibly poor Larry exercised his mind more during the time he was helda prisoner in the clutch of that sticky mud than at any previous spanof his whole existence. And he had good reason for alarm. Many anunfortunate fellow has been sucked down by the muck to be found inmarsh or swamp, his fate unknown. As Larry happened to turn his despairing eyes upward, to see whetherthe sun might be going down, for it seemed to be getting gloomy to him, he made a discovery that gave rise to a newborn hope. Just over his head, and within reach of his extended hands, the limbsof a tree swung down. It was a live oak that grew on the solid groundnear by; and the idea that had flashed into his mind was that perhapshe might tear enough of these same branches down to make a sort ofmattress on the surface of the mud, which would even bear his weighttemporarily. Feverishly then did Larry start to breaking off such branches as camewithin his reach. These he carefully allowed to fall upon the mud in aheap. And he made sure to draw each down just as far as he couldbefore breaking it loose. But he was sinking all the while, so that he was now down almost to hiswaist. Why, his hands actually touched the sticky mire when he, by accident, let them fall at his sides. If this sort of thing kept on, in lessthan twenty minutes it would be all over with him. And by now he realized another discouraging fact. Even though he couldsucceed in making a mat sufficient to bear his weight, how was he todraw his legs, one at a time, out of that adhesive stuff? He tried it, tried with every atom of strength left in his body; butthe effort was a dismal failure. This seemed to be the finishingstroke. Larry had managed to keep his spirits up fairly well, believing that he might somehow drag himself out of his difficulty. "I can't hardly move, " he said to himself, hoarsely. "I'm stuck forfair, and all the while going down, down, slowly but surely. Oh! mygoodness! what can I do?" Looking up he saw that the largest branch was still within reach. Alast wild hope flashed upon him--would it be possible for him to seizehold of this, and draw himself out of the hole? He no sooner conceived this idea than he set about carrying it intoexecution. Securing a good grip, he started pulling. Strain as hewould, he could not gain a particle. The only thing at all encouragingwas that while he thus clung to that branch, he did not sink any lower! Minutes passed. They seemed hours to that imperiled lad. His musclescertainly grew sore with the continuous strain of holding on sodesperately, and fighting against the awful suction of the greedy mud. How long could he hold out? Not many minutes more, he feared, for hewas pretty close to the point of exhaustion now. And when naturerefused to longer battle for his life he must yield to his fate. Larry groaned at the outlook before him. Would his chums ever come?Were they still lying around the camp, filled with confidence that thehunter could redeem his boastful words, and return with the greatest ofease? Oh! what a fool he had been to start out alone. Never againwould he fancy himself a woodsman, if he were lucky enough to get outof this horrible scrape. Facing such a serious outlook it was little wonder then that Larryagain burst out into shouts, that were hardly more than a mockery, itseemed to him, so hoarse had his voice become, and so incapable ofserving him. But nevertheless those shouts had served their purpose, and reached thelistening ears of his comrades. CHAPTER IX THE SECOND NIGHT OUT "Hold fast! we'll soon have you out of that muck!" called Phil, afterhe and Tony McGee arrived at the edge of the quagmire, where poor Larrywas up to his waist in the oozy mud. Their coming had given the imperiled lad new vim; it seemed to him asthough his muscles were renewed, and that he could keep on grippingthat branch everlastingly now, such was the fresh faith that took theplace of grim despair. Tony knew just how to go about it. Phil, seeing his lead, started toalso throw all sorts of loose leaves and wood upon the surface of themud. So fast did they work that in a short time they had a fine coveringclose up to Larry himself. Thus each of them could get on one side ofhim, and then heave all together. "Pull for all you're worth when we give the word, " said Phil, as hetook a good hold under Larry's left arm, while Tony attended to hisright. "Now, all together, yo heave-o! Bully! you moved then, oldfellow! Now, once again, yo heave-o! That time you came up twoinches, I bet. Don't let him sink back, Tony. A third time now, allin a bunch!" And so by degrees Larry began to ascend. The further he drew out, theeasier the job seemed; until finally they dragged him ashore. "Oh, my goodness, wasn't that a tight squeeze though!" gasped Larry, sinking on the ground in almost a state of complete collapse. Phil saw that he was nearly all in, and so instead of scolding him onaccount of his carelessness, he started in to make humorous remarks, just to get his chum's mind off the terrible nature of his recentadventure. With sticks they scraped him off, for he was a sorry sight, the blackmud clinging to his fine corduroy hunting trousers as far up as hiswaist. But after all, that was a mighty small matter. His life hadbeen spared, and Larry would not mind having his garments carry thesigns of his narrow escape ever afterwards. "Now to get back to the boat, " said Phil, when he found that hiscomrade had so far recovered that he could walk; though his hands stilltrembled. "But wait, " said Larry, eagerly. "You surely won't think of going backwithout that fine turkey over there, will you? It gave me heaps oftrouble, and came near costing me dear. The best revenge I can have isto make a meal or two from the plagued old gobbler that tricked me onall this way. " "Oh! Tony's got the royal bird, all right, " laughed Phil. "While Ifinished scraping you off, so you wouldn't have such a load to carrywith you, he completed the little bridge of leaves and trash, crossedon it as you should have done in the beginning, and came back. Here'syour gobbler; and quite a hefty bird, too. Just lift him once, willyou, Larry? And to think that he's your game! But Larry, own up now, did you see him when you fired?" "I refuse to commit myself, " replied the other, with assumed dignitythat hardly went with his forlorn appearance. "It's enough that Inailed him, and he's going to fill us up for a meal or two. Lead on, Macduff! I'm able to toddle, I guess. " Tony took his bearings, and then they started. So accurately had theswamp boy judged their location, that he led them almost directly tothe boat. And there was great joy in the breast of Larry Densmore whenhe sank down on the ground to remove his muddy trousers, so that hemight not soil the interior of the motor boat. Fortunately he had another pair along with him, so that by the timeTony had unfastened the cable ashore, and Phil turned his engine over, Larry was decently dressed again. But it might be noticed that he was not as frisky as usual the balanceof that afternoon, being content to cuddle down, and rest. Phil saw aserious look on the usually merry countenance of his chum. He knewfrom this that Larry had really suffered very much while facing such adoleful end. Nor did he blame him one whit. Owing to the amount of time that had been consumed in following Larry, and getting him back to camp after his rescue, they could only expectto keep moving for a couple of hours more; when the coming of eveningwould necessitate their stopping for the next night. Phil felt a strange little thrill as he reflected that possibly whenyet another day had closed in they would have advanced far enough ontheir journey to admit of a possibility that they might run across someof the shingle-makers of the big swamps. "Keep on the lookout for a tying-up place, Tony, " he said, as he sawthat the sun was sinking low. "Not much good place along here, " remarked the swamp boy, shrugging hisshoulders in disgust. "Thought we get below this to-day; but stayedtoo long above. " "Which of course was my fault, " spoke up Larry, immediately; "but evenif it does look spooky around here, with all that Spanish moss hangingfrom the trees, we can stand it for one night. " "Sure, " said Phil; "especially since we don't have to go ashore, tocook supper. We'll give our little gas stove a try-out this time, andshow Tony how well it can fill the bill. " So finally Tony picked out as decent a place as he could find; Philworked the Aurora close in; the swamp boy sprang ashore in Larry'splace holding the rope; and presently the motor boat was snugly mooredagainst the bank. Larry thought there might be fish around, but lacked the ambition toeven make a trial. All his muscles seemed sore by now; and Phil knewthat it would be some days ere his chum felt as chipper as was his wont. "Besides, what's the use?" Larry remarked, even as he mentioned thefact as to the fishy appearance of the water. "We've still got a lotof that bully venison aboard; and that fine turkey Tony is going tobake in his home-made oven ashore. Why, we'll be just filled up withgrub, hang the fish! I don't care enough about them just now tobother. " Tony was already ashore, at work on his oven. Just as Phil haddescribed to his tenderfoot chum, he first of all dug out a big hole, and started a hot fire going in it, using the dead leaf stalks of thepalmetto as a beginning. Then he fed other wood, which he seemed toselect carefully, until he finally had a furious red hot mass of embersthere. Meanwhile he had plucked the turkey, and made it ready for cooking. "Time we're done eatin' oven be ready, " he announced, as Larry calledhim aboard to supper; he having prepared the meal over the little Jewelstove, finding a way to keep things warm as fast as he cooked them. Later on Tony drew out all the red ashes. The oven was very hot atthat time. He wrapped the turkey in some green leaves, and thrust itinto the hole; after which he took pains to cover the opening up, andheap earth over it all. Of course Phil knew the principle of the thing, though up to now he hadnever been a witness to the actual demonstration. It acted on the sameprinciple used with the new-fangled bottles that keep fluid hot forseveral days, or cold, just as it happens to be put into thereceptacle. And the fireless cookers are also arranged on the same oldtime natural laws of retaining heat. "Listen to the racket coming out over yonder!" remarked Larry, as theylay around at their ease later on, each having a blanket under him. "Tony says that there's a big swamp lying over there, " observed Phil. "And I warrant you he can tell what makes every sound you hear. Onecomes from some kind of bird squawking; another I happen to know is anight heron looking for a supper along the water's edge; then I supposecoons squabble when they meet, trailing over half sunken logs; a bobcatcalls to its mate; the owls tune up; chuckwillswidows, the same birdsthat we call whippoorwills up North, you know, keep a whooping all thetime; and there are all sorts of other noises that might stand foranything. But Tony, tell me, what is that far-away booming we hear?" "Bull!" remarked the other, with a chuckle. "You don't mean it?" exclaimed Larry, sitting up to listen. "Well, now, it does sound like it, too. But see here, Tony, didn't you sayonly a little while ago, that there wasn't a single man within twentymiles of us; unless it might be some runaway darky hiding out in theswamp to escape the chain gang?" "That is so, Larry, " replied the swamp boy, who was by now growingfamiliar enough with his comrades to call them by their first names. "This no reg'lar bull. It never saw farmyard. It live in water, comeup on shore sometime, and holler to make 'nother bull come fight. " "Oh! you mean an alligator bull, don't you?" cried Larry, "how silly ofme not to understand at first. And is that one bellowing now? He mustbe a giant to make such a row. " "Not so big, like ten feet p'raps, " replied Tony, carelessly. "How big do they run--about fifty feet?" asked the ignorant one; atwhich Tony actually laughed, the first time they had ever really heardhim give way. "Never hear of such big one, Larry. Twelve feet, some say fifteenmost. And that professor he tell me 'gator that big more'n two hundredyears old, much more!" "Whew; what a whopper!" exclaimed Larry, though whether he meant theage of the saurian, or the story told to the swamp boy, he did notexplain. "One thing sure, " remarked Phil, as the time drew near for them toretire, "with that blessed old swamp, and its many nasty inhabitants soclose by, I'm going to keep an eye out again tonight. Perhaps we won'tbe disturbed by another bobcat; but I wouldn't feel quite easy unless Ikept my good Marlin handy. So, boys, if you hear me making a noiseagain during the night, don't get alarmed. I won't be talking in mysleep, be sure of that. But listen, Tony, what animal do you supposemakes that far-away sound? If I didn't know we were cut off fromcivilization I'd say it was the baying of a dog at the moon. " CHAPTER X WHEN THE SLEEPER AWOKE "That's what it is, sah; a dawg!" said Tony, after listening for aminute. "Then we must be closer to your people than you thought, " remarked Phil. "That cain't be so. My folks never comes up this far. Yuh see, itsorter lies atween the town up yander, an' our diggin's, " the swamp boyexplained. "But how about the dog, then?" Phil went on, becoming curious. "Perhaps it might be a party from the up-river settlements, huntingdown here?" Tony nodded, and something like the ghost of a smile crept athwart hissallow face. "Huntin'? Yes, sah, that's what it mought be, " he said, quickly. "Butit's game yuh wouldn't want tuh bag, Phil. Sure enough, they's coonhuntin'; but not the kind that has the bushy striped tail. " Phil was quick to grasp his meaning. "Do you think they're after some fugitive negro? Is that what youmean, Tony?" he demanded; while Larry's innocent blue eyes began todistend, as they always did when their owner felt surprise or alarm. "Sure, " Tony asserted, confidently. "I orter know the bay o' a hound. That dawg is on the trail o' a runaway convict; an' yuh see nigh allthe chain gang is black. " They all listened again. Somehow, since learning Tony's opinion, thesound, as it came welling out of the swamp far away, seemed moregruesome than ever. Phil could easily in imagination picture thescene, with a posse of determined keepers from the convict campfollowing the lead of dogs held in leash, and chasing after a wretchedfugitive, who had somehow managed to get away from bondage in theturpentine pine woods. "Poor critter!" muttered sympathetic Larry. "He's only a coon, andperhaps he deserves all he got; but it makes me shiver to think of hisbeing hunted like a wild beast, all the same. " "Will they get him, do you think, Tony?" asked Phil. "Don't know. Most always do, some time. Yuh see a feller as runs awaylike that ain't got no gun nor nothin'. How c'n he git anythin' tuheat in the swamps? Now, if 'twas one o' us, as has always lived thar, we'd be able to set snares an' ketch game; but a pore ignorant coondon't know nothin'. Sometimes they jest starves tuh death, rather'ngive up. " "Then they must be treated worse than dogs, " declared Larry; "becauseno man, white or black, would prefer to lay down and die, to beingcaught, if he didn't expect to be terribly punished. " Tony shrugged his shoulders at that. "Don't jest know, " he said; "but I heard folks say as how 'twas a badplace, that turpentine camp, whar the convicts they works out theirtime. Reckon I done heard the dawgs afore, too. " "Something familiar about their baying, is there?" queried Phil. "They sure belongs tuh the sheriff, " Tony declared; "an' he must a be'ncalled in by them keepers tuh help hunt this runaway convict. " "The sheriff, Tony--do you mean the same fellow you were telling usabout, who dared come to the shingle-makers' settlement downriver, andwas tarred and feathered, or rather ridden on a rail, with a warningthat he'd get the other if he ever showed his face there again?" "Them's him, " said the swamp boy, with a nod. "His name it's Barker, an' he's a moughty fierce man. But let me tell yuh, he ain't been nighour place sence. Cause why, he knowed the McGee allers keeps his word. " "Do you suppose he'd know you, Tony?" asked Phil. "Reckons now, as how he would, seein' as how I had tuh bring him hisgrub that time he was held in our place. He knowed as I was McGee'sboy. " "I just asked, " Phil went on, "because it struck me that if we shouldhappen to have a call from Sheriff Barker, it might be best for you tokeep out of sight. If he's the kind of man you say, he might justtrump up some kind of a charge in order to carry you back with him. And once they got you in town, there's Colonel Brashears ready to makea charge against you for licking his cub of a son. How about that, Tony?" "Reckons as how yuh has struck it 'bout right, sah, " replied the other, uneasily. "This Barker, he's the sort tuh hold a grudge a long time. It sorter rankled him tuh be rid out o' the squatter settlement on arail, an' he an' officer o' the law, with all hands a larfin' an'makin' fun of him. Never seen anybody so tearin' mad. He swore he'dcome back with a company o' sojers, an' clean us out. But it's be'n aheap o' moons now, sah; an' I take notice Barker he ain't never showedup yit. " "If the runaway negro only knew that, I suppose he'd make straight foryour settlement; because he'd be safe there from the sheriff?"suggested Phil. "That don't foller, sah, " the swamp boy immediately replied. "We-unsain't gwine tuh let all sorts o' trash settle among us. The McGeeain't settin' hisself up ag'in law an' order. He don't want no fightwith the hull State. More'n a few times they be a 'scaped convict hitour place; but McGee, he wouldn't allow o' his stayin' longer'n tuh gita meal, an' p'raps an ole gun, so's he could shoot game. Then he hadtuh beat it foh the coast; an' was told that if he war ever caughtinside ten mile o' our place he'd be give over tuh the sheriff. " "The baying seems to have stopped, now, " remarked Larry. "Reckon as how the dawgs has lost the trail, " Tony explained. "Yuhsee, they's so much water around hyah that heaps o' times even thesharpest nose cain't keep track o' a runaway coon. But if so be it'sBarker along with them keepers, he'll keep agwine to the last minit. He's a stayer, he is, I tell yuh. " A little later they prepared to go to sleep. There was ample room forPhil and Larry to make up their primitive beds on the seats of thelaunch. Arrangements looking to this had been made in the beginning. True, it was always a chance as to whether one of them in turning overwhile he slept, might not roll off the elevated couch, and bring up atthe bottom of the boat; but they provided against this by raising theouter edge of their mattress--really a doubled blanket over the seatcushions. When Tony joined them it was a question just where he might find roomto sleep. Not that the swamp boy was at all particular; for he couldhave snuggled down on deck, or found rest in a sitting posture; for hewas used to roughing it. On the preceding night they had tried having him occupy the bottom ofthe craft; and it had seemed to work well; but Tony evidently could notbreathe freely when stowed away like so much cargo. So he had askedthe privilege of taking his blanket, and making himself comfortable onthe forward deck. Thus it happened that his head was not far removed from that of Phil, when the latter stretched himself out on his shelf, with his feettoward the stern. Larry was already breathing heavily, for he had the happy faculty, which Phil often envied, of going to sleep almost as soon as his headtouched the pillow. Nor in making use of this word is reference madeto some time in the past, when the two young cruisers were at home intheir comfortable beds. Each of them owned a rubber pillow, which onbeing inflated, afforded an easy headrest; and during the day took upvery little room, the air being allowed to escape in the morning. On the first night out Larry had disdained to follow the example of hismore experienced chum, who had covered his rubber pillow with a towel. Consequently Larry found that his face burned and itched all day, fromthe drawing effect of the bare rubber; and on this occasion Phil notedwith secret satisfaction that the other was very particular to emulatehis example. Experience is the best guide; and Larry would neverforget the unpleasant sensation he had endured because of declining totake pattern from the actions of the "one who knew. " The last thing Phil remembered hearing ere he went to sleep was thatconcert from the neighboring swamp. The alligator bull had started into bellow again, as though pleading with some rival to come around andtry conclusions; and the sound was very strange, surrounded as theywere by such a wilderness. Accustomed as he was to a delightful hair mattress, of course Philwould have found it rather hard to have only a doubled blanket betweenthe boards and himself, as Tony was doing; while he and Larry enjoyedthe benefit of the cushions with which the side seats of the launchwere furnished; and which, being covered with panasote, were supposedto act as life preservers should they be cast into the water. But Tonynever minded it in the least. He assured them he had many times sleptcomfortably, perched on the limb of a tree. Still, Phil was a light sleeper. While his chum might never awakenonce during a night, Phil generally turned over every hour or so. Andhe had fallen into the habit, so general among old campers, of raisinghis head and taking an observation at such times. Finding all well, he would lie back again, and fall into a new sleep. He remembered doing this at least twice on this night in question. Each time it seemed to him that all was well. He could hear thevarious noises coming out of the swamp, and forming such a weirdchorus; but they signified nothing in the way of peril. And by degreesPhil was growing accustomed to listening to the strange conglomeration. A third time he awoke, and it struck him instantly that on thisoccasion he had not come out of his sleep wholly of his own accord. Something seemed to be pulling at him--it would stop for a few secondsonly to go on again, and Phil noted that this tugging was whollyconfined to the shoulder of his coat, which he had not discarded whenhe lay down, as the night air was cool. At first a thrill passed through him. Possibly he remembered that bull'gator with the hoarse bellow; or bethought him of certain yellowmoccasin snakes Larry had noticed in the water of the stream, comingfrom the swamp, no doubt. Then something touched his face, tapping him gently. Instinctively heput up his hand, and immediately felt fingers. Why, it must be Tony!Had the other thrown his arm up while sleeping, and in this way managedto arouse him; or was his action intentional? Phil was just trying to decide which it could be, when a sound came tohis ear that caused his heart to almost stop beating for a briefperiod; some one or some animal was certainly creeping under thecurtains of the motor boat, seeking to enter! CHAPTER XI AN UNINVITED GUEST Phil knew that Tony must have discovered this significant movement, andbelieved it his duty to arouse the one who might be depended on to meetthe situation. Could it be some wild animal that was trying to get in at theirprovisions? Listening, Phil believed he could catch the sound of halfsuppressed breathing. Then the fumbling began again, as though a bodywere being drawn under the canvas curtain. It was time he were acting. So he allowed his fingers to give those ofTony a reassuring squeeze; after which he reached out his arm. Hisfaithful Marlin must be there on the floor of the cockpit, just wherehe had placed it before lying down. And when he felt the familiarsensation of the cold steel barrel, he knew he had the situation wellin hand. Suddenly a wild cry arose. It had come from the lips of Tony, as Philinstantly understood; and was immediately followed by a threshingsound, as of two bodies rolling and scrambling about on the forwarddeck of the little cruiser. Evidently the fearless little swamp lad had thrown himself on theintruder, whom his keen eyes had made out to be a human being, and nota panther, as Phil had at one time suspected might prove to be the case. Phil immediately scrambled off his seat and to his feet. It was notactually dark under the cover, for the moon still shone. He could justmanage to see the tumbling figures on the deck, as Tony clung to theunknown intruder with the tenacity of a cat. Larry had rolled into the cockpit, and was trying his best to disengagehimself from his blanket, which he had somehow managed to get twistedaround his bulky figure. So far as any help from that quarter mightgo, there was no use expecting it; for Larry was certainly in adreadful panic, not knowing what it all meant; and perhaps thinkingthat he was about to be kidnapped. "Don't hit me, massa; I gives in, 'deed an' 'deed I does!" wailed avoice that could only belong to a terrified negro. "Lie still, you!" cried Phil, thinking it best to take part in the row. "I've got you covered with a gun, and can blow the top of your headoff. Not another move, now, d'ye hear!" Of course the intruder had no means of knowing that those in thetied-up motor boat were mere boys. He heard the one word "gun, " andthat settled the matter. Phil thought fast. He had no doubt but that this fellow must indeed bethe man the sheriff and his posse were hunting with hounds. He was anescaped convict, from the turpentine camp, where the chain gang workedout their various sentences under the rifles of the guards. Perhaps after temporarily eluding his pursuers the fellow had happenedon the boat as it lay there alongside the bank. He was possibly nearlystarved; and rendered desperate by his condition had determined toattempt to steal some food, taking his very life in his hands in orderto do so. Phil knew just where a lantern lay. And he always carried plenty ofmatches on his person, so as to be provided in case he became lost inthe wilderness at any time. So he now decided to have some light on the subject. At the cracklingof his match the negro uttered a low whine, and began to struggleslightly again, possibly fearing that he was about to be shot. "Keep still, now!" cried Tony, knocking the fellow's head smartly onthe planks of the deck; for he was sprawled out on the intruder's chest. Phil, having succeeded in lighting the lantern, held it up. The firstthing he saw was the frightened face of the escaped convict. Somehowit sent a pang through the heart of the boy, for he had never in allhis life looked on a human countenance that was stamped with sufferingas that black one seemed to be. "Let him up, Tony; I've got the gun, and will keep him covered!" hesaid. The swamp boy obeyed. Perhaps he hardly thought it wise of Phil to actas he did, for it might be noticed that the first act of Tony was topick up the hatchet, and keep it handy. Larry had finally succeeded in unwinding that blanket from around hisperson. He was staring at them as though he could hardly believe thewhole thing were not a nightmare. "Sit up, you!" Phil repeated; and the negro obeyed. It was plain that astonishment was beginning to share the element offear in his face, when he saw that his captors were three half-grownboys instead of gruff men. And perhaps for the first time a glimmer ofwild hope began to struggle for existence in the oppressed heart of therunaway. "What's your name?" asked Phil, sternly. "Pete Smith, sah, " replied the other, in a quavering tone. "You escaped from the convict camp, and it was you they were huntingwith the dogs, wasn't it?" the boy went on. "Reckons as how 'twar, sah. " "How long ago did you run away?" Phil continued, bent on finding outall the circumstances connected with the case before deciding what todo. "I dunno, 'zactly, sah. Mout a ben six days. 'Pears tuh me like itben de longes' time eber. Ain't hed hardly a t'ing tuh eat in all dattime, massa. Jest gnawin' in heah, an' makin' me desprit. Clar tuhgoodness I knowed I must git somethin', or it was sure all ober wid me. 'Scuse me, sah, foh breakin' in disaway. I'se dat hungry I c'd eatbran! But if so be yuh on'y lets me go I'll neber kim back ag'inneber. " "But you would get something to eat if you gave yourself up to thesheriff?" The negro shuddered. "I sooner die in de swamp dan do dat, honey, " he said, between hiswhite teeth. "Dey got a grudge ag'in me ober dar in de turpentinecamp, 'case I took de part ob a pore sick niggah what was bein'whipped, 'case he couldn't wuk. Dey says it's laziness, but I knowedbetter. He died arter dat. But de head keeper, he got it in foh me, an' he make it hard. I runned away at de fust chanct; an' I jestshorely knows dat he next door tuh kill me if he gits me back. " "What were you there for?" asked Phil, feeling more kindly toward thewretched fugitive after hearing what he said, even though it may nothave been wholly true. "'Case I war a fool, massa; I 'mits dat, " returned the other, humbly. "Cudn't nohow leab de juice alone. I libed in Tallahassee, an' usterbe a 'spectable pusson till I gits drinkin'. Den I got inter a row, when a man was hurted bad. Dey sent me to de camp foh a yeah; an' itain't half up yit. But I'se gwine tuh gib dem de slip, er drap down inde swamp, dat's what. " "Larry, " called out Phil, "wasn't there a lot of stuff left over fromsupper?" "Right you are, Phil. Shall I get it out?" asked the other, whoseheart had been touched by what he heard; for Larry was a sympatheticsort of a chap, who could not bear to witness suffering, and might beeasily deceived by any schemer. "Yes, " Phil went on, quietly. "This poor fellow is pretty hungry. We'll feed him first; and while he eats decide what we had ought to doabout his case. " "Oh! bress yuh foh dat, young massa!" exclaimed the man who had beenchased by the dogs and the sheriff's posse. "I done nebber forgitsyuh, nebber. An' if so be I is lucky enuff tuh git out ob dis scrape I'clar tuh goodness I nebber agin touch a single drap o' de bug juice. It done gets me in dis trouble foh keeps, an' it ain't nebber ag'ingwine tuh knock me down!" "That sounds all right, Pete, " remarked Phil, "if only you can keepyour word. If you got clear you could never go back to Tallahasseeagain?" "No sah, not 'less I sarve my time out. It's disaway, sah. I done gota brudder ober near Mobile, an' I war athinkin' dat if on'y I cud getaway I'd go tuh him. Den in time he'd send foh my wife and de chillentuh come ober. " "Oh! then you have a family, have you? How many children, Pete?" askedPhil. "Seben, sah, countin' de twins as is on'y piccaninnies yet. " "Good gracious!" exclaimed Larry, who had been eagerly listening whilegetting the leftover food out of the place where he had placed it. "What a crowd! And how could they get a living all the six monthsyou've been in the turpentine camp, Pete?" "Dunno, sah, " replied the negro; "specks as how Nancy she dun hab takin de washin' ag'in. Ain't dun nothin' ob de sort dis ten yeahs; butshe kin do hit right smart, sah. " That was the last word Pete could be expected to speak for some time;for he was busily engaged stuffing himself with the food Larry thrustbefore him. It was a singular sight, and one that Phil would doubtless often recallwith a lively sense of humor. The lantern lighted up the tent of themotor boat, showing the emaciated black devouring the food about like astarving wolf might be expected to act; and the three watching boys, Phil still gripping his Marlin, Tony the hatchet, and Larry another tindish with more "grub. " Meanwhile Phil was wondering what they ought to do. He did not like tobreak the law; but it seemed to him that in this case he would be amplyjustified in assisting the runaway convict. He had surely worked longenough to have served as atonement for his crime; and the call of thoseseven little children was very loud in Phil's ears. So he made up his mind that he would place a small amount in Pete'shand before sending him away, besides some more food. And he might atthe same time be given a hint that if he only headed directly southalong the river, the sheriff would not be apt to follow him far, sincehe dared not tempt the terrible McGee by infringing on the territory ofthe squatter chieftain. So they waited for the hungry man to eat his fill. And Pete, now thathe no longer felt the pangs of approaching starvation, looked at Philout of the corners of his eyes, as though trying to guess what the"young massa" was planning to do about disposing of his case. CHAPTER XII THE SHERIFF AND HIS "DAWGS" "Do you see that package, Pete?" asked Phil, after he had talked withLarry for a few minutes, and pointing at a bundle the latter had madeup. "Yas, sah, I does. " "Well, I'm not going to tell you to take it; but after you're gone, Iexpect to find it missing. Do you think you understand?" asked theboy, grinning. Pete looked puzzled, and scratched his woolly head. "Yuh 'pears tuh not want me tuh take hit; and den ag'in yuh 'spects meto kerry hit off when I'se gwine away! Yas, sah, I sees what yuhmeans, " he answered; though the blank look on his dusky face belied hisassurance. "You see, " Phil continued, soberly; "if the sheriff should happen tocome along we would tell him somebody had taken a package of food fromthe boat during the night. Understand? His dogs would be apt to pickup your trail here, anyhow; and that might be a give-away. " "Oh! yas, sah, I gits on now, " said the late prisoner eagerly. "An' itsure is a good thing foh me as how I runs acrost yuh gemmons dis samenight. On'y foh dat I done drap in de swamps. I takes de grub, but Idon't let you-uns knows hit. " "And when you start off, circle around and make for the south, " Philwent on. "Perhaps, now, you may have heard of the McGees, who makeshingles down below? Well, this boy is Tony McGee. If you're luckyenough to get to their settlement, which is on the river, he'll helpyou further. Here's a little money for you, Pete. I'm giving it toyou just because you say you're going to turn over a new leaf if youget safe to Mobile. And perhaps some time I'll look you up, or writeto your brother; because we're interested in that family of yours. What's his name, Pete?" "Oscar Smith, in keer ob Mistah Underhill, sah. An' I suah is mightymuch 'bliged tuh yuh foh dis. I's gwine tuh do what yuh tells me;dough I war a tryin' tuh git away by keepin' tuh de west. " "Well, you'll have a better chance by going down river, and I'll tellyou why, Pete;" after which Phil explained how the sheriff of thiscounty in Northern Florida had reason to shun the neighborhood wherethe fierce McGees held forth. "If I knowed dat afore, massa, " said the negro, earnestly, "I done bedown dar by now, an' alarfin' fit to die at dat sheriff. But I make acircle 'round right now, an' git a start. I done feels dat much bettersense I gets a squar' meal dat I kin keep a movin' 'long all rightsmart de rest ob de night. " "Then perhaps you had better be getting along now, Pete, " said Phil. "You see, we can't tell but what the posse might happen on us any time;and the further you're away when that comes to pass, the better. Shakehands with me, Pete. And don't forget that we believe you when you sayyou're meaning to walk a straight line after this. " The astonished fugitive had tears running down his thin cheeks when hefelt the warm hearty clasp of Phil Lancing's hand. Nor was Larry goingto be left out. "Shake with me too, Pete, " he said, thrusting his chubby hand out. "Ihaven't said much, but to everything my chum remarked I'm on. And Icooked that grub, Pete. Good luck to you! I hope you've had yourlesson, and it's never again for yours. " "Now we'll turn our backs, while you disappear, Pete; so none of us cansee you go, " said Phil, suiting the action to his words. "God bress youse, honey, bofe ob youse!" the man muttered, brokenly. They heard a movement, a shuffling sound; then presently all becamesilent once more, and laughingly the boys turned around. "It's gone!" declared Larry, pretending to be greatly surprised. "Somemiserable thief has come, and swiped a lot of our grub! Just think ofthe colossal nerve of the thing, would you, Phil?" "Let's go to sleep again, " was the only remark of the other, as hestarted to fasten down the bottom of the curtains. "But suppose the sheriff drops in on us?" remarked Larry, who lookedforward to such a possibility with a little of dread. "Let him come, " chuckled Phil. "You can tell him how we had a packageof food taken. He'll understand then what his dogs have found, whenthey strike the scent of Pete. But I expect that the fellow will findplenty of ways for killing his trail between now and morning. He's gota new lease of life, Pete has; and mark my words, no sheriff's posse isever going to overhaul him from this on. " So saying Phil began to make himself comfortable again. Larryproceeded to fix his own bed afresh; and when he pronounced himselfready his chum put out the lantern. In all, not more than half an hour had elapsed since Phil felt thatfirst touch from the swamp boy; and yet how much had happened in thatshort time. The Northern voyagers had passed through a new and novelexperience; and there was Black Pete hastening through the woods, andthrough the swamps bound south, with hope once more filling histroubled breast. There was no further alarm during the remainder of that night, and theboys were getting breakfast when Tony uttered an exclamation. "Look! they are comin' down below! That is Barker at the head!" hemuttered. "Drop down in the bottom of the boat, Tony, " Phil hastened to say; forit had all been arranged beforehand what their programme might be. Larry jumped ashore to unfasten the cable, while his chum hastened topay attention to his motor, so as to get the power on without delay. Some distance away they could see a party of men advancing. In fronttrailed a pair of tawny hounds, straining at their leashes, andevidently following some sort of trail. A distant shout announced that these parties had discovered the boat;but the boys at first paid no attention to the hail. It was only afterthey had started from their late landing place that they pretended tohave discovered the coming file of men; and Phil answered their shoutswith a wave of his hat. The sheriff was a typical Southerner. He wore a broad-brimmed hat; andhad on a long coat; which, being open in front disclosed the heavyrevolver which he carried next his hip. Each one of his three companions had a gun of some sort. Possibly theywere the guards from the turpentine camp, searching for the fugitiveconvict. Taken all in all the quartette of men presented a very fierceappearance; and Phil felt relieved to know that poor Pete was not fatedto fall into their clutches. The fugitive had given them a heap oftrouble, and in case of capture could expect little mercy. The sheriff stepped to the edge of the bank, and made motions as thoughhe wished the voyagers to come in; but Phil had no intention of doingso. He really feared that the law officer might be tempted to carryTony off, just to get even with his father, the terrible McGee, whom hedid not dare face again. Phil did reverse the engine, however, so that the Aurora might driftslowly past the spot where the sheriff was standing. Plainly the otherdesired to have a few words with those aboard. "Hello! gents!" called the officer, with his hands forming a megaphone, so that his voice might carry the more readily. "I'm the sheriff ofthis heah county; and this is my posse. We's huntin' a desprit convictthat got loose from the camp a week back, by name Pete Smith. He'sbeen headin' up thisaway, as the dogs allow; and p'raps now yuh mighta-seen somethin' of him. " Phil pretended to look at Larry as though surprised. "I bet you it must have been him, Larry!" he said, in a voice loudenough to be heard on shore; and then turning to the sheriff he wenton: "Some sort of critter sneaked into our boat last night, sir, andmade way with a lot of our grub. Guess it must have been the runawayyou mention. " "And my goodness! did you hear him say it was a desperate convict, Phil?" cried the innocent Larry, showing all the signs of alarm. "Why, he might have murdered us while we slept! Oh! what a narrow escape!" They were now opposite the sheriff, and still drifting with thecurrent, though held back by the turning of the screw. "Say, what's that about a thief gettin' away with some of your grub?"called out the officer, excitedly. "Whar was you campin' at the time?Didn't we see you tied up tuh the bank yonder, whar that palmetto bendsdown like? Tell me that, younkers! It's a heap important, yuh see, that my dawgs pick up the scent fresh, though I spect they's on to itright now. " "Yes, we spent last night there, Mr. Sheriff, right where you see thatpalmetto. Hope you have all the luck you deserve!" Phil sent back overthe widening water. "You'd better look sharp below aways. They's a hard crowd down in thatregion, the McGee clan o' law breakers and squatters. They'll cleanyuh out, if yuh stop off nigh 'em. That's a warnin', younkers. If sobe yuh meet old McGee, tell him Bud Barker ain't forgot, an' in timehe's acomin' back!" Tony could hardly keep from rising up, and shaking his fist after theenemy of his father, when these threatening words floated to his ears. But Phil pulled him down before his presence was discovered by thesheriff. The last they saw of Barker he was pushing after his dogs, pellmell, doubtless in the belief that he would get on the track of Pete againwhen they arrived at the palmetto tree. "Do you really suppose that what he says is true, and Pete's a regularpirate?" asked Larry, in a troubled voice. "Well, not any so you could notice, " laughed Phil. "In fact, afterseeing the make-up of the fierce fire-eating sheriff, I'm more thanever glad I gave poor old Pete the glad hand, and helped him on hisway. Perhaps he may not have such a raft of piccaninnies as he said, but anyhow I'm pretty sure he deserved to be given one more chance tomake good. " "Oh! I'm so glad to hear you say that, Phil, " cried Larry. "I wasafraid that we had made a bad break. But, my! wasn't Mr. Barker afierce looking gent, though?" CHAPTER XIII IN THE CYPRESS COUNTRY During the morning they talked often of the occurrence of the previousnight. Phil no longer felt any qualms of conscience, on account ofwhat he had done. And he really hoped Pete would get clear of theposse. There had been something in the face of the negro thatimpressed both boys with a sense of his honesty. He had been sent tothe convict camp simply because he was unlucky enough to be in a fight. Had he been a common thief it might have looked different to Phil. And while Tony McGee might not be able to grasp all the fine points inthe matter, he could understand that these two new friends of his hadwarm, boyish hearts; and he often looked at them with growing affectionwhen neither Phil nor Larry believed he was at all concerned abouttheir affairs. Then that old troubled expression would flit back again, to holddominion over Tony's face. That was when he tried to imagine what hisfather's actions might be, after he learned that one of these lads wasreally the son of Dr. Lancing, the rich land owner, against whom he hadso strong a grudge that he would have been sorely tempted to kill him, did the millionaire but venture into the land of the squattershingle-makers. They tied up again at noon, taking Tony's advice. Phil could plainlysee that the swamp boy, acting as pilot of the little expedition, wastrying to time their progress so as to hit a certain place towardnightfall. "What d'ye think of it?" asked Larry, when Tony having wandered offwith the gun to see if he could find some "partridges, " the two couldexchange words without being overheard. "About Tony, do you mean?" queried his companion, easily guessing whatwas worrying Larry. "Yes. He asked us not to leave here until about the middle of theafternoon; and then he sprung that idea on us, of stepping out to seeif he could scare up any game. You don't imagine for a minute, do you, Phil, that he means to betray us to his friends, and get us intotrouble?" "Rats! You don't dream of believing that yourself, now. But I sawjust as you did, that he wanted to hold us here a certain time. And itwouldn't surprise me one little bit if Tony failed to come back until acouple of hours had gone, " and while saying this Phil looked wise, which fact struck his chum as particularly exasperating, seeing that hewas so consumed with curiosity. "Then do take pity on me, and tell me right away what you think, " saidLarry; "because I can see in your face that you've guessed something. " "Well, of course you've heard Tony try to convince me lots of timesthat it would be foolish in our stopping off to see his father?" Philsaid to begin with. "Yes, I have, " replied Larry, promptly. "First of all he wanted us toturn back. Then, when he saw that you just wouldn't, he asked why notkeep right on past his place. " "Just so, " remarked Phil. "And I've got a notion right now that Tonyis holding us back so that we will just have to do some traveling afterdark tonight. Perhaps he'll find some excuse for it, by saying thereis no decent stopping place. And in that way the boy may hope to coaxus past the dangerous point where the squatters have their settlement. " "But you won't consent, Phil; I just know you too well to believe it, "cried Larry. "Well, not so you can see it, " came the positive reply. "When Iembarked on this cruise I knew just what I was up against. Iunderstood that McGee was feeling bitter against my dad; but I believethe message I'm carrying him will knock all his animosity to flinders. And not even Tony must upset my plans. " The time crept on. An hour had passed since Tony went away. They hadheard several distant shots in quick succession, and Larry was filledwith hope that his craving for "quail on toast" might be finally madean accomplished fact; though just where the latter article was to comefrom might have puzzled any one, since their last scrap of bread hadlong since vanished from mortal view. Another hour seemed almost exhausted, and Larry began to grow uneasy. "He's got your new gun along, Phil, " he remarked. "That's so, " smiled the other, who did not seem one whit disturbed bythe non-appearance of the swamp boy; "but don't you believe that cutsany figure in his keeping away. I've been studying Tony right along, ever since we met him first; and I'd stake a heap on his fidelity. Hehas come to care for us, too. I could see that by the way he watchesus, and the light in his eyes at times. But there he comes right now, Larry; and he's holding up some game you like right well. " "It's quail all right, and a fine bunch of the little darlings, too!"exclaimed the cook of the expedition, his face relaxing into a happygrin; and all doubts immediately vanished from his mind. Tony came slowly into camp. Phil noticed that there was a serious lookon his face, as though more than ever the swamp boy might be troubledin his mind. Which fact gave Phil a rather startling idea. Could it be possible that Tony had met with any of the squatters duringhis little side hunt? And suppose this to have been the case, what hadhappened between them? Of course they must know that Tony had goneup-river with his little blind sister, so that his presence near thehome settlement would arouse both their curiosity and suspicions. They must also notice the wonderful pump-gun he was carrying; and thatagain would be likely to cause them to demand an explanation. WouldTony tell all that had happened to him? And might the news be thuscarried ahead of their coming to the terrible McGee, that the son ofthe rich man he hated so bitterly was even now in his power? But Tony said nothing. He was far from being talkative at any time, and just now he seemed to shut up as "tight as a clam, " as Larryexpressed it aside to his chum. They started down the now wide stream. Since the boys first commencingthis eventful voyage two days back, the river had received manyadditions in the way of smaller creeks, so that it was now pouringquite a volume of water along toward the gulf. And it was easy to see from the nature of the frequent swamps borderingthe banks that they were drawing near the great cypress belt where theshingle-makers held forth in all their glory, defying eviction on thepart of any owner of the territory. It was about the latter part of the afternoon when Larry calledattention to a man on the shore. He was standing on a hamak, and heldan old gun in his hands, as though he might have been hunting up thisway, and his dugout not far off. The fellow was far from prepossessing looking, to say the least. Hisgarments were of dingy homespun, and his beard gave him the appearanceof a tramp. But of course Phil realized that he must belong to thesettlement toward which they were gradually drawing closer with everymile passed over. And if so surely Tony would know him. He noticed that the man was staring at them as they glided past, withthe motor slowed down to its lowest ebb; as Tony had requested thatthey only keep with the current. And turning toward the swamp boy hesaw him make some sort of sign to the man--it might be merely a wave ofrecognition; and again there may have been a deeper significanceconnected with it. "You knew him, then, Tony?" asked Phil, trying to seem indifferent. "Oh! yes, sure, " replied the other, quickly. "That was Gabe Barker. " "Barker!" exclaimed Phil, "any relation to our friend the sheriff, now?" "Yep, that's the funny part o' it, " replied Tony, with a slight smile. "Gabe an' the sheriff be full cousins. But all the same, Gabe hehelped to carry the pole when they ride t'other Barker out o' thesettlement. They has a feud you see, his fambly an' that o' thesheriff. " "But Gabe is one of the McGee clan now, isn't he?" pursued Phil. "He's be'n, nigh on seven year, " Tony admitted. "Think he licked thefather o' the sheriff, and hed tuh cut stick an' run afore they got'im. " "Why d'ye suppose he didn't call out to you?" asked Phil; who reallyconsidered this the most sinister part of the entire proceeding; foraccording to his way of thinking it would have been the natural thingfor a man to have done under such circumstances. Tony allowed that queer little smirk to creep over his face again. "Gabe he would like to much, on'y he couldn't, " he said. "Why, I didn't see anybody stopping him!" ejaculated Larry. Tony made a movement toward his mouth, and then observed: "Gabe he not say much now for five years. Used tuh curse more'n threemen. Then a tree he was cutting down fell wrong way. Gabe he caughtunderneath. Bite tongue off and near die when McGee find him. So hemakes talk with hands since that time. " "Oh! what d'ye think of that, now?" cried the wondering Larry. "Prettytough on that long-legged Gabe, for a fact. No wonder then, he didn'tcall out to you, and ask all those questions I could see on his face. " "Tony, do you suppose now that Gabe came up the swift river in hisdugout, which I noticed floating on the water near where he stood onthat rise?" asked Phil, with a reason for the query. The swamp boy looked uneasily at him, but answered at once. "No, current too strong. We come this far through swamp. I paddle sowhen I take little sister up-river. That place whar Gabe stand hideentrance to swamp. " "And how long do you suppose it would take Gabe, if he started rightaway, to get back to the settlement?" Phil continued. "After sundown, an' afore dark, " the other answered. "River turn manytimes, but through swamp it is easy to go straight away. " "Then unless we started up, and ran for it, Gabe could get there soonerthan our motor boat; is that a fact, Tony?" "Yes, " replied the swamp boy, with a sigh, "Gabe get there first, anyhow!" CHAPTER XIV LARRY PICKS UP SOME MORE POINTERS Although the boys had left their stopping place that morning insomething of a hurry upon sighting the advancing posse of the sheriff, it must not be supposed for one minute that they had forgotten allabout the treat they had been anticipating in the way of breakfast. Larry had it firmly fixed in his mind; and as soon as he could coaxTony to go ashore, the swamp boy and himself had opened the primitiveoven in which they had placed the noble turkey. It was found done to a turn, cooked beautifully by the heat that hadbeen retained all through the night. Possibly the boys missed thecustomary brown, outside appearance, such as they had always seen in afowl roasted in an ordinary oven; but for all that it was delicious. Larry had gone into ecstasies when enjoying the meal; which was eatenwhile on the way down the river; the coming of Barker and his followinghaving started the expedition suddenly. And many times during that day had Larry referred to the great luckthat had befallen him during his grand hunt. He would never cease toplume himself on having actually bagged that king bird of the Americanforest, and which is usually so timid that only the most experiencedhunter can secure such a trophy. "And, " he would say, as he picked a drumstick at noon with the keenestof relish, "our good luck didn't stop with my having bagged thegobbler, either. " "That's a fact, " Phil had remarked; "our coming on the spot hadconsiderable to do with this lunch we're making right now. Because, only for that, it might be a funeral feast instead of a joy spread, eh, Larry?" "Well, that's just about right, Phil, " the fat youth had replied, turning just a shade paler than usual, although on account of his rosyhue this fact could hardly be noticed, to tell the truth; "but I wasn'tthinking of that; and please don't mention it too often, for it's aptto take my appetite away. " "Then tell us what you did mean?" demanded his chum. "I was thinking first of all how fortunate for us that the deliciousodor of our cooking turk didn't ooze out from the oven, " Larry went on. "Oh! now I catch on to what's on your mind, " laughed Phil. "You'rethinking of our colored friend, Pete Smith, the chap with the sevenpiccaninnies?" "That's what I am, Phil. What if he had caught the odor of that noblebird in his half starved condition?" "Whose--the bird's?" queried Phil, wickedly. "Oh! no, you know I mean Pete, " replied Larry, quite unruffled. "Don'tyou suppose he'd have followed his nose, and discovered how we'd placedthe turkey away so neatly? And he'd have uncovered him, and run awaywith the whole show. That would have not only cheated us out of ourbreakfast and lunch; but have also lost us a chance for doing a nobledeed. " "Hear! hear! I see you're bringing your Boy Scout training down toFlorida with you, Larry. And I wager you never let a sun go downwithout having done something to make a fellow critter happier. Butstop and think, it was only midnight when Pete gave us that call, wasn't it?" "Somewhere about that time, I guess; but why?" Larry asked. "Don't you see, " Phil went on positively; "the oven couldn't have morethan half done its work by then; so even if Pete had gobbled thegobbler he'd have had to eat him partly cooked. Not that Pete wouldhave objected very much to that, for he was too near the starving pointto kick. Now, my opinion is, we had greater luck because we dug up ourbreakfast as early as we did. " "How's that, Phil? What has the early bird got to do with the worm; orthe worm with the early bird, as it is in this case?" "Why, you must remember that we had to quit in something of a hurry, "laughed Phil. "If our turkey was still in the oven don't you supposethose dogs would have nosed it out in a jiffy after they arrived? Andwe couldn't turn back to claim our game. That posse would have feastedon the fruits of your great hunt. " In spite of Larry's love for argument, based upon the fact that heexpected to some day become a lawyer like his father, he was compelledto admit that in this case Phil had the best of it. And so the bones of the turkey were polished off in the middle of theday; with every one declaring that it had been a great treat. Larrykept the two drumsticks as well as the wings of the gobbler. Possiblyhe might many a time feel a queer little sensation creeping up and downhis spinal column as memory carried him back again to that slough, where the treacherous black mud was slowly but surely sucking him down. And now the sun was creeping closer and closer to the western horizon;and they must soon come to a stop for the night; unless, as Phil rathersuspected, Tony had conceived some sort of wild idea as to influencingthem to keep right on, so that he could run them past the settlement ofthe shingle-makers in the darkness. Of course there was bound to be a moon, for it even now hung low in theeastern heavens, being well on toward the full; and, as boys accustomedto the woods well know, a full moon always rises above a level horizonjust at sunset. But clouds floated in patches across the sky, and itmight be they would obscure this heavenly luminary long enough forTony's purposes. But Phil was equally determined not to let the swamp boy try to runthem past. He had come far to carry out his purpose; and could notbring himself to believe that it might fail utterly. Much as he hadheard about the fierce nature of the giant, McGee, chief of the clan, he had faith to believe that even such a rugged and almost savagecharacter might be subdued, if one went about it in the right way. "We must be looking for a place to haul up, Tony, " Phil finally said, in his most determined tone. The swamp boy looked almost heart-broken upon hearing him say this. Hegritted his teeth together, and frowned. Phil knew what must bepassing in his mind; and how poor Tony felt, that in obeying the wishesof this new friend, he was acting as a decoy, to betray the son of thehated Dr. Lancing into the hands of those who would treat him roughly. Tony shook his head and sighed. Then, as if making up his mind thatthere was no other course for him to pursue, he tried to smilecheerfully. Perhaps he still hoped that if the worst came, he mightfind another arrow in his quiver to use. Perhaps he relied somewhat onthe influence of his mother, she who had once been a school teacher ina city, before she came to marry this chieftain of the McGee clan. "Just as yuh say, Phil, " he remarked, meekly. "If we have tuh tie up, reckons as how it could be did 'round hyah as well as anywhar else. Yuh see thar's swamp nigh everywhar 'bout, now--nothin' but cypress inthis part o' the kentry. So, when yuh say so, we'll get a hitch 'rounda tree, an' stop. " "Looks to be a likely place ahead there, " remarked Larry, who had beenamusing himself with a pair of marine glasses Phil had brought alongwith him; and which promised to be particularly useful, once the motorboat reached the big waters of the gulf. "Yep!" sang out Tony, who had such keen vision that he found no need ofglasses to assist him, "they's some land thar too, which makes it rightdecent. If so be yuh feel that yuh must stop, Phil, that's a shoregood place. " And so they headed in for the landing selected, after navigating thestream for a short time longer. The sun had not yet gone down, thoughunder the tall cypress trees, with their great clumps of gray hangingSpanish moss that looked like trailing banners, it was even thenbeginning to grow a little dusky. Gently running alongside the bank, the Aurora came to a stop. Larrywith his rope was quickly ashore, and securing the cable to aconvenient tree. Then they let the motor boat swing around, so thather prow headed up-stream; after which she was apt to lie easy allnight, with the current gurgling past, and singing the everlasting songof the running water. Larry was for going ashore and making a fire, but Tony begged him notto. "They find us soon enough, without hurryin' it 'long that way, " he said. "Oh! well, " Larry replied, "I suppose we can use the bully littlekerosene gas cooker tonight. It's a howling success, according to mymind; and I'm only wondering why you didn't get a second edition whileabout it, Phil. " "Because it was new to me, " replied his chum; "and while I'd heard aheap about it, I thought I'd like to try the thing out first. But Igive you my word I'm going to have another as soon as I can send forit. And never again shall I go into camp without one along. Think ofthe rainy days when I've had to go hungry because all the wood wassoaked; when with such a treasure in the tent you could cook to yourheart's content. " "Then you give in to Tony, and say no fire ashore tonight?" asked Larry. "Well, yes, " was Phil's reply. "It's pretty warm anyhow to cook over ablaze. And perhaps after all it might be better for me to drop intothe village of the McGee, of my own free will, rather than be takenthere, apparently against it. " Again Tony sighed. Perhaps he felt that there was small chance oftheir passing that night so near the settlement of his people withouthaving unwelcome visitors. Perhaps he knew only too well how the muteBarker must ere now have arrived among the shanties of theshingle-makers with his astonishing news; and that many dugouts wouldsoon be scouring the river in search for the remarkable motor boat onwhich he, Tony, seemed an honored guest. "I wonder if I could catch any fish here?" remarked Larry, who couldnot forget the success that had attended his previous efforts in the"hook and pole" line. "Plenty everywhere along here, I should guess, " remarked Phil. "Sosuppose you get busy, and see if you can't pull up a supper for thecrowd. Fact is, old chum, you're rapidly developing into a secondclass scout. When you get back North you will know so much thatthey'll just have to get you a medal to wear. And the marks on thesleeve of your khaki jacket will about reach from your shoulder to yourelbow, you'll qualify for so much. " "Aw! quit jollying me, Phil, " chuckled Larry, who nevertheless seemedto enjoy the novel sensation of being complimented on his newlyacquired knowledge in the line of woodcraft. He was soon busily engaged untangling his fishing line, while Tony wentashore to hunt for grubs in old logs; and Phil employed himselfotherwise. From time to time the chums exchanged a few words, withPhil taking Larry to task for persisting in calling his jointed bamboofishing rod a "pole!" "That goes well enough with the country boy, who has only a long bamboopole, with the string tied at the end, " he said, with the air of aschoolmaster; "but after you reach the point where you use a splitbamboo jointed rod, and a fine rubber reel, it's about time you steppedup a peg, and gave things their right name. " Larry promised to be more careful in the future. "There, I've got the tangle all out, " he said, with a sigh of relief;"and here comes Tony with some bait. What is it you've got? Bully foryou, Tony! My! what a nice assortment of fat grubs. I just bet youthe bass will grab at 'em like hot cakes. And strange to say, I'mactually feeling a little hungry myself at the thought of supper. Well, here goes for business. " He went to the stern of the boat to cast out. Not just fancying theway the boat happened to lie, Larry picked up the setting pole, andstarted to push a little. In doing so he happened to thrust the poleinto the water. Perhaps he was only trying to see how deep the riverwas at that point; at least he afterwards declared he had no other ideathan that. Phil, occupied in the little task which he had laid out for himself, paid no particular attention to Larry for several minutes. He wassuddenly startled by a shrill screech from his chum. This caused himto leap quickly to his feet; and what he saw was enough to send athrill through his whole body. In prodding about with the push pole Larry must have struck some objectlying at the bottom of the river, and the sudden appearance of thisunsuspected neighbor had given him a terrible shock. It was atremendous alligator that thrust his snout above the surface, just asLarry, losing his balance, fell into the river with a great splash! CHAPTER XV A RIDE ON AN ALLIGATOR It was certainly a time for prompt action. Phil Lancing had leaped to his feet at the first cry from his chum. When he saw that tremendous snout thrust up out of the water he felt athrill. This changed from alarm to horror when unfortunate and clumsyLarry, tripping in his excitement over the side, struck the water witha tremendous splash, not far from the aroused alligator. During the day just passed Tony had been giving them more or lessinteresting facts connected with the ugly saurians that had their usualabode in the cypress swamps. Of course, as the lad had been born andraised amid such surroundings, he was familiar with most of the humorsof the scaly reptiles; and had himself been engaged in numerousadventures with them in times past. He had even told with infinite gusto of an occasion where on a dare hehad jumped astride the back of a big bull that was caught in a lagoon, and ridden him to and fro for the space of five moments, despite hisbellowing and the angry lashing of his active tail. Naturally, then, these things all seemed to flash before the mind ofPhil in that one dreadful second as he stood there, and saw his chumfloundering in the river, not ten feet from the ugly teeth of the'gator. Larry had somehow managed to seize upon a dangling rope end. It musthave been by the merest chance in the world that this came about; buthaving once clutched this life preserver he held on with a desperategrip. Meanwhile, he seemed to understand that he was in dangerous closenessto that aroused and angry reptile which his setting pole had prodded. While holding on for dear life Larry was exercising all the agility ofa gymnast in a mad effort to do a little rope climbing. That was where his lack of form told heavily against him. Strive as hewould, and spurred on to redoubled labor by a knowledge of his peril, Larry was utterly unable to accomplish what he had set out to perform. Several times he succeeded in drawing himself up a foot or so, and thenwould come a fatal slip that knocked his plans "galley-west, " as Philwould have said. And at such times Larry was bound to go souse into the stream again, grunting; calling out in half muffled tones; and spouting forth quite acascade of water that had been taken into his open mouth. Undoubtedly, had Larry's rescue depended upon himself alone he mighthave fared badly. He did not seem able to make any headway against thebad run of luck that kept tumbling him back after every effort to rise. And that mossback 'gator, as Tony always called an old fellow, wascertainly worked up into a rage which might result in his attacking thestruggling boy, despite all his wild floundering and splashing. Phil of course suddenly remembered that he had it in his power toassist Larry. His gun! If only he could manage to hasten to where it had last been seen, hemight yet fire a charge, or several for that matter, full into the eyesof the reptile; and at such a short distance it must surely bring theattack to an end. While it takes quite some time to narrate these things, in reality itall happened within a few seconds, to tell the truth. Usually Phil wasexceedingly active in mind, but somehow the affair seemed to havedazzled him just a trifle, so that he found himself unable to decidejust where he had last set eyes on the faithful repeating shotgun. Larry had even made his second furious attempt to climb up the rope, and fallen back again, when Phil discovered the barrel of the gunsticking out from under a bunch of blankets which his chum had tossedaside in trying to get at his fishing tackle. Just as Phil was in the act of making a dash for the weapon somethingflashed by him. It was Tony, the swamp boy; and over his shoulder ashe leaped he sent back the words: "I get him, you watch!" Nevertheless Phil, being accustomed to depending on himself, did nothalt in his dash for the gun. No matter how good the intentions ofTony might be there was always more or less danger that a slip couldoccur; and in case such a calamity did come about, he, Phil, wanted tobe in a position to lend a helping hand. The dangling rope was in reality the loose end of the painter whichLarry had fastened to the trunk of the twisted live oak tree growingnear the edge of the bank. As the water was quite deep right upalongside the shore Larry found no footing, and was in his haste makinga bad job out of what might otherwise have been easy work. Afterwards, when he figured matters over, Phil realized that he couldnot have been more than three seconds in making that frantic dive forthe gun, snatching it up in his eager hands, and swinging around oncemore so that he could have a clear view of the water where thisexcitement was transpiring. And yet at the time it seemed to him asthough an hour must have elapsed, so great was the mental strain. What he saw caused him to stare as though he could hardly believe hiseyes; it was all like a strange dream, this actual realization of thestory which Tony had been telling them that afternoon. The alligator bull was still in sight. He had managed to turn about, so that his ugly snout was pointing directly toward the spot whereLarry was still kicking and splashing at a terrific rate in his attemptto be a sailor, and climb a rope, something he had possibly neverpracticed, the more the pity. How Tony had ever managed to accomplish it in that very short space oftime Phil could never guess; but even as he looked he saw the swamp ladastride the back of the angry 'gator, close up to his head. The saurian was lashing the water into foam. Perhaps he had justmanaged to get sight of the struggling Larry, and intended to swimstraight for him, had not a new and unexpected enemy suddenly taken ahand in the game. Gripping his gun Phil crouched there on the deck of the motor boat, staring at the little swamp boy. Tony was grinning widely as though hedelighted in proving in this practical way how true his remarkablestory of the afternoon had been. And looking, Phil saw him lean quickly forward. He seemed to thrustboth hands out, with the thumbs turned down, as though seeking the onlyvulnerable point about that mail-clad head. "The eyes--he's trying to stick his thumbs in the 'gator's littleeyes!" gasped the astounded and thrilled watcher. He no longer thought of attempting to make use of the weapon he held inhis own hands. What was the need when Tony had things all his own way?And holding his very breath with awe Phil Lancing watched the bold playof the swamp boy, who had been accustomed to the ways of alligatorsfrom infancy. "He's done it!" burst from the lips of the one spectator, as a terrificbellow burst from the twelve foot saurian, undoubtedly of pain and ragecombined at having his eyes gouged in this fierce manner. Faster and more violently than ever did that powerful tail thresh thewater, until the foam seemed like soap bubbles. Bellow after bellowmade the air tremble, or at least pulsate. And amid all this racketthe shrill screams of delight on the part of the excited and pleasedswamp lad could be heard pealing forth like the notes of a bugle amidthe roar of battle. "Get him up, Phil--get him up!" It was Tony shouting these words, which brought the watcher to hissenses. Why, how silly of him to be crouching there, a mere looker-on, when he ought to be having a hand in the matter. Thinking thus, Phil immediately sprang away. A couple of bounds tookhim over the side of the launch and ashore. Here, dropping his nowuseless gun, he bent down alongside the roots of the live oak, which onthis side were exposed to the air by the gradually washing away of thesoil. The first thing Phil saw was the agonized face of his chum. It nolonger looked rosy, and beaming with good-nature. Larry was genuinelyfrightened, and as pale as a ghost. The sight of that terriblemonster, which he had unwittingly offended with those prods from hispush pole, together with his sudden immersion in the water, had givenhim a shock. "Reach up your hand, Larry! I'll give you a pull, and out you come!"Phil cried, as he bent down, and stretched his own willing arm as fardown toward the surface of the water as he could. Larry was only too willing. Indeed, he even let go with both hands, and of course plunged back again into the river, to frantically cryout, and seize once more on the friendly rope-end. "Careful now! Not so fast, old fellow! Just one hand at a time; andhold on to the rope with the other!" Phil said, encouragingly. This time, taking warning from his former mishap, and realizing thatthe more haste the less speed, Larry succeeded in thrusting his lefthand into the grasp of the waiting chum above. Phil instantly exertedall his strength; and what with the frantic efforts of the fat boy, theresult was all that could have been wished. Larry rolled over as soon as he found himself safe on dry land. Hegave a grunt of what might be satisfaction; allowed another pint ofwater to escape; and then, filled with eagerness to witness whatstrange sights might be transpiring close by, crawled to the edge ofthe bank again, to stare with dilated eyes at the antics of the swampboy. Nor was Phil far behind him in seeking a place where he too might be awitness to Tony's wonderful skill in riding the wild alligator bull. The baffled saurian, roaring with the pain entailed upon him when theboy thus thrust both thumbs down into his eyes, still lashed the waterwith his sweeping tail, and had started to swim aimlessly about, unableto see whither he might be heading. Tony's usually sallow face was aflame with delight. He seemed"dreadfully tickled, " as Larry would say over the splendid opportunityto show off before his new Northern friends. They knew all aboutreading, and the world at large; but neither of them would have daredthus ride a savage bull 'gator. It was surely Tony's hour! But presently the huge reptile, driven frantic by pain, made a suddenlurch, and dived down into the depths of the river, as though hoping inthis way to relieve himself of the terrible enemy that was blinding him. Amid the foam-crested wavelets Phil saw the swamp boy reappear; and hisheart, which had seemingly risen into his throat, resumed its normalbeating once more. "Oh! look, there he is again! Bully for Tony; but didn't he do itfine! Come ashore, Tony, before he gets after you again!" called outthe excited Larry. Tony was leisurely swimming toward them, his face still wearing thatbroad grin. "Not much danger he do that, I tell yuh, " he answered, coolly. "Oldmossback, he get in hole, an' hide a week. Skeer him heap that time. Know him come out o' swamp. Get him hide yet, yuh see if I don't. " Reaching the dangling rope-end Tony climbed up unassisted, scorning thehelping hand Phil thrust downward. It was as if he desired to show howdifferently he might have acted had he been in Larry's place. And thatindividual immediately made up his mind that after such a humiliatingexperience he would daily practice such useful stunts as climbing arope, since there could be no telling when it might come in handy as alife saving exercise. Tony, upon reaching the top of the bank, shook himself like a big NewFoundland dog might have done. He had no coat on at the time, nor hadLarry, which proved doubly fortunate, considering their immersion. And Larry, full of gratitude, insisted on squeezing Tony's hand, whilehe poured out boyish congratulations on the wonderful feat he had seenthe other perform. Tony looked greatly pleased. These two chums haddone so much for him that he only too gladly welcomed the opportunityto wipe out a little of the debt. CHAPTER XVI UNDER THE TWISTED LIVE OAK "Where did you ever learn that trick, Tony?" asked Phil, as they oncemore went aboard the motor boat, Larry to change his clothes beforethinking of fishing, and Tony to continue the task at which he had beenemployed, just as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened todisturb him. "I tell yuh, " replied the swamp boy. "McGee, he one time think he haveto get out this part of country and locate 'way down south. Hear lots'bout Everglades, an' go down coast with sponger on sailboat, tuh seeif worth while. I was 'long that trip down tuh gulf; an' McGee, hesend me back with other men. But I wanter go 'long an' see themEverglades; hear heap 'bout same from one o' our men. Waited till Iget chance, an' crawl 'board sailboat, hide in locker forward. Theynever find me till I get so hungry second day, have tuh come out. " Phil noticed that Tony seldom referred to the head of the clan as his"father"; it was nearly always "McGee"; just as if he felt more respectfor him as the leader of the settlement, than regard for him as hisparent. "I suppose your father was considerably surprised?" he remarked, smiling. Tony shrugged his shoulders, as though the memory were not altogetherpleasant. "He was mad clean through, " he replied. "He knock me down once, andsay he ought to throw me overboard. Then he change his mind, and larf, tellin' me I was a chip o' the same old stick, er somethin' that way. Arter that he act right good, an' I do the cookin' foh the lot. Sothen we get tuh Everglades. But he never take tuh things down tharlike here, an' change mind 'bout leavin'. " "But about the alligator trick, Tony?" asked Larry, who was listeningeagerly all me while. "Come tuh that now, Larry, you see, " answered the other, noddingpleasantly. "Meet Injuns down thar. Seminoles they call 'em. Wearshirt, vest, an' a heap o' red stuff wind 'round head; that all. Italk much with Injuns; they tell me how they many times ride on back ofbig bull. I never hear such thing, an' want'er see, so they take meout in swamp, and one boy he do same. " "Yes, " broke in Phil, "I guess you wasn't satisfied to have an Indianbeat you in such a trick; and you couldn't rest until you had copiedhim; isn't that just about right, Tony?" The swamp boy chuckled as he nodded. "Reckon I did, Phil, " he said, modestly. "Climb on 'gator back whileInjun boy thar, push him off, an' keep up game. Never let Injun beatme. But McGee, he shake his head when I tell him, an' look hard at me. Then he larf, an' jest turn 'way. " "I guess he knew there was just no use trying to hold you back, Tony. Say, Larry, are you going to try for fish this evening?" Phil calledout. "I'm ready right now, with some of those nice fat grubs Tony caughtme, " replied the other, coming out of the boat with dry clothes on. "Well, " continued Phil, "I wanted to say that after all that row here, the chances are you'd never get a bite in a coon's age. If I were youI'd just go up the shore a bit. " "Why up instead of down?" asked Larry, always curious to know the whyand wherefore of everything, as a budding lawyer should. "For one thing, you muddied the water below, " Phil went on. "Thenagain, perhaps you noticed that the old mossback headed downstream; andso the chances are the fish might be scared away for some distance. " "Oh! now I catch on to what you mean, Phil, " Larry spoke up. "But yousee, there are so many things I don't know about woodcraft, that I'vejust got to keep asking questions. Then I'll go upstream, and try myluck. " "Be careful not to get out of sight of the boat, " warned the other. Larry looked a bit dubious at these words. He stood there for a minuteas if hesitating whether to go or not. But like most boys he dislikedto have a chum imagine he were capable of showing the white feather; sopresently he sauntered off. Phil had been observing him out of the corner of his eye, and chuckleda little at noting how loth Larry seemed to be to depart. But Phil didnot mean to let the other get out of his sight at this interestingstage of the game. Larry had a weakness for doing just the things heought to avoid. He could get lost, or fall overboard, or even tumbleinto a bed of soft ooze, quicker than any one Phil knew. So, in a few minutes he picked up the gun, and said in a low tone toTony, who was doing something aboard the boat: "Guess I'll take a little circuit around for a few minutes. I won't gofar; but I want to keep an eye on Larry. He seems to have a weaknessfor tumbling in; or having something out of the way happen to him. Andjust now, you know, Tony, when we're so close to your home, I'd hate tohave an accident happen to break up all my plans. " Tony did not reply, though he nodded his head to announce that heheard. Perhaps he was a little afraid lest Phil might try to swingaround over too large a circuit, and come in contact with somedetachment of the shingle-makers from the nearby settlement. So Phil sauntered off. He realized that there was no excuse for hiswandering far, even had the mood been upon him, which was not the case. The going was bad; and with night close at hand it would have been theutmost folly to have started on a reconnoitering trip. He simply swung around, and then from the rear approached the spotwhere Larry was engaged in fishing. The other was evidently havingsome luck, for Phil saw him take one good-sized bass from his hook; andhis eager actions would indicate that the finny tribe gave evidence ofbeing hungry. It was far from Phil's intention to alarm his chum. He simply walkedtoward him, meaning to speak when he arrived at a closer point; andthen so as not to disturb the fishing; for as an ardent sportsman Philbelieved that sounds would carry in the water, and frighten even hungrybass. He was therefore considerably surprised to see Larry suddenly start up, and dropping his split bamboo rod in a panic, commence running down thebank of the river, showing all the evidences of fright. Phil glanced hurriedly around. It did not occur at once to him thathis own coming must have alarmed the timid Larry; and he half expectedto see some gruff swamp squatter heave in sight, as he sent thatinquiring look around. There was nothing near to cause the alarm; not even a bear or awandering raccoon, so far as he could determine. Then it dawned uponhim that Larry must have discovered the apparently stealthy approach hewas making, and had naturally suspected that it was some would-beabducter stealing up on him. And Larry seriously objected to beingthus carried off. "Hey! where you going, you Larry?" Phil called out, as soon as he couldcommand his voice for laughing at the ridiculous figure his fat chumpresented, sprinting madly along the bank of the stream. At that Larry slackened his speed, and even condescended to twist hisfat neck, so that he could send a look of inquiry back over hisshoulder. When he discovered that the supposed kidnapper was only hischum, who seemed to be doubled up with merriment, Larry came to a fullstop. Then he started to slowly retrace his trail, shaking his headand grumbling to himself. "'Twa'n't hardly fair of you, Phil, giving me all that trouble fornothing, " he was saying as he drew near, looking a little sheepishbecause of his recent wild sprint. "Excuse me, Larry, " his chum replied, with becoming regret, though hisdancing eyes rather belied his humble tone; "I sure never meant toalarm you one whit. I didn't call out because you seemed to be havinga great time with the bass; and sometimes noise stops a biting rally. But I never thought you'd be so keen to get on to me coming along. " "Well, perhaps I wouldn't a while back, Phil, but I'm learning thingsevery day, you see. And besides, didn't you as much as tell me to keepan eye out for any sort of moving thing? That's what I was adoingright now. I saw something creeping along. The shadows are gatheringback there under the trees, and I couldn't make out in that one peekwhat it was. I just cut and run as the safest way. " "And I guess you were right, " said Phil. "It might have been a hungrypanther wanting to make a meal on you. You know, I always said that ifany wild beast was prowling around in search of a supper, he'd pick youout, first pop. That's because you're such a nice, plump morsel. " "Oh, rats! don't make me blush, Phil. Then, if I had to stay down inthese diggings long, I'd sure make it a point to lost some weight. Itain't exactly pleasant you see, knowing that even the wild critters arehaving their mouths water at sight of you. But look at that big bass Iyanked in, would you? Must weigh all of six pounds, and enough for oursupper alone. " "Did he pull hard?" asked the other, stooping to notice the gaspingfish, and to also strike the prize a sharp blow back of the head thatimmediately killed it; for Phil was a humane disciple of Izaak Walton, and believed in putting even his captures out of suffering immediately, which is a point for all Boy Scouts to heed. "Well, for just the first few seconds, yes; and then he seemed to comein like a log, with his big mouth open. Not so much game about himafter all. Say, I hope now, Phil, he ain't sick! I'd just hate tohave all our supper go to waste that way!" The other laughed aloud. "Bless you, Larry!" he exclaimed, "this fish is all right, and as fitto eat as anything. It's just a way they have down here, where thewater is always warm. If that same fish had lived in the cold streamsup North you'd have had the time of your life getting him ashore withthat fine tackle. The climate affects even the native crackers thesame way. Where it's warm, and people don't have to hustle just tokeep living, they grow lazy. Some people call it the hookworm, youknow. My dad often writes articles about it. But to me it seems justpure laziness, and nothing more. " "Now, " said Larry, ready for argument at once, as he gathered up hiscatch, and started down the bank toward the boat, "I just don't agreewith you about that business. It ain't just warm weather that makesthese crackers shiftless. Take the mountaineers up in West Virginiaand Tennessee. They sure get plenty of cold weather most of the yearround; and yet they're just like these crackers of the far South. There is a hookworm, as sure as you live. I only hope we don't get itfastened on us while we're down here. " "I see you've been reading up on that subject, " remarked Phil. "Andsome other time we'll get busy again over it. My dad is up on allthose subjects and I'm taking some interest myself. But if that's so, then these green trout, as they call the big-mouth bass down here, musthave the hookworm bad; for they're just the laziest things I ever sawpulled in. " Tony insisted on taking the catch, and preparing it for cooking; whileLarry started up the useful little Jewel stove. Phil would have reallykindled a fire under the twisted live oak ashore, only that Tony seemedaverse to such a proceeding; and he had promised the swamp boy to avoiddoing what was bound to bring the squatters down upon them during thenight. The supper was cooked in detachments. First they had the fried fish, for which the largest frying-pan had to be used. Crackers went wellwith this; and later on the coffee being boiled, they enjoyed afragrant cup of Java, together with some cakes that had been put up inair-proof packages, and were as fresh as the day they left the New Yorkbakery. The night settled down. Clouds had covered the heavens at sundown, andso they had next to no benefit from the moon, though it was evidentlymounting some distance above the horizon in the east. Sitting there later on Phil wondered what the near future held in storefor himself and his chum. Would their presence be discovered by themen from the settlement, so that before the coming of dawn they mightexpect callers; or on the other hand, was it possible for him to carryout his own plan, entering the squatter settlement of his own freewill, and demanding to see the terrible McGee, before whom most men hadup to this time quailed? But it was all as mysterious and dark as the night shades gatheringthere around the motor boat, tied up under the weird twisted live oak. CHAPTER XVII TALKING IT OVER "Listen!" It was Larry who gave utterance to this exclamation. Phil knew justwhat his chum must have heard, for several times during the last tenminutes the same sound had been faintly borne to his own ears, thoughhe had not seen fit to mention the fact. Coming on the night breeze what seemed to be the barking of dogs mightbe heard. Larry, apparently, did not know whether he could trust tohis own judgment. "Say, ain't that dogs barking, Phil?" he asked. "Well, " replied the other, coolly, "I don't believe they've got anywolves or coyotes down here in Northern Florida; and if they had, wewouldn't be apt to hear them carrying on that way. On the whole, Larry, I guess you'd be safe in calling it dogs, and letting it go atthat. " "Poor old Pete!" muttered Larry. "What's that?" queried his boat-mate, in surprise. "Do you reallythink our colored friend Pete is up against it again?" "Why, he was going to come down this way, you know; and that sheriffseemed so dead set on getting him, that he's chased his dogs all theway, " Larry explained. Phil did not laugh, although he wanted to, for he knew Larry had a lotto learn about the big outdoors, and its myriad tongues. "Stop and think a bit, Larry, " he said, soberly. "In the first placethat Sheriff Barker would hardly dare trust himself down here in theMcGee country. You remember what Tony told us about how they treatedhim the last time he was here? And then again, if you noticecarefully, you'll find a vast difference between the bay of a houndwhen on a trail, and the barking of dogs in a settlement. " "Oh! now I catch on to what you mean, Phil!" exclaimed Larry, chuckling. "Then all that racket really comes from the village whereTony's people live; and so we must be pretty close to his home rightnow. " "That's sound logic, I take it, Larry. How about it, Tony?" askedPhil, turning to the swamp boy, who sat there listening to what wasbeing said, but without saying a word. "'Bout mile straight across; p'raps two mile round by river, " hereplied. "Just about what I thought, " Phil went on. "You don't suppose, do you, Tony, they could have heard us when you and Larry were having yourjig-time with the old mossback 'gator?" "Might hear me shout, but b'lieve it other boys, " was the reply whichTony made. "I'm glad of that, " Phil remarked, though he did not explain just why. "And the more I think about it, " Larry spoke up, "the greater I feelthat I had a mighty narrow escape. Just you catch me droppingoverboard again while we're around this region! Why, Phil, would youbelieve it, while I was fishing above, didn't I see as many as five ofthe nasty wigglers go swimming past. Ugh! they give me a cold creep. " "Now what do you mean by wigglers?" demanded his companion. "Snakes, ugly brown and yellow fellers, with a nasty head, and a wickedlook about 'em that I don't like a bit, " Larry answered, readily, andshuddering as he spoke. "Oh! you mean those everlasting water moccasins, do you?" Phil laughed. "Well, they are ugly customers, I admit. And I've heard that theirbite is mighty nearly as bad as the rattlesnake's, down here. Howabout that, Tony?" "Not so bad, oh, no!" the swamp boy quickly replied. "Sometimes leavesore, not soon heal up. But weuns have medicine tuh take whencotton-mouth or moccasin hit in leg with fangs. We splash when we gothrough water in swamp, and skeer away. No bother much 'bout moccasin. But rattler more trouble. Two year I get bit, and McGee have much hardtime keepin' his Tony. " "I suppose he soaked you with whisky in the good old backwoods way; butTony, they've got beyond that these days. Doctors have a remedy thatwill in most cases save the patient, unless he goes too long beforebeing treated. " Phil had himself read up on the subject; but he made no effort toexplain to his two friends. Larry would never remember a single thingabout it; and the swamp boy of course could not have understood themeaning of much that such an explanation would entail. All the same Phil was secretly pleased to hear his chum say sodecidedly that he did not mean to again allow himself to dropoverboard. It would be just like Larry to get bitten in the leg by oneof those malignant little snakes, that continually threw themselvesinto attitudes of defiance on the surface of the dark water, as thoughready to give battle to the invaders of their preserves. And in such acase all sorts of trouble might ensue; though Phil's physician fatherhad provided him with the proper remedy to be used under suchconditions. Tony had been so very quiet the whole evening that Phil knew his mindmust be taken up with some serious thought. "What ails you, Tony?" he finally asked, as they still sat there, noone seeming in any hurry to retire on this night. "I wouldn't worryover things, if I were you. Leave matters to me. I'm dead sure I'vegot that along with me to win over your awful dad, once he learns thetruth. " Tony sighed heavily. "That sound well, Phil, " he muttered disconsolately; "yuh mean allright, sure; but yuh don't know McGee! He's gut a terrible temper!Sometimes my mother, even she is 'fraid uh him. Then 'gain, he thekindest man alive. Never know what come. Just like storm, he jump upin summer--one minit sunshine, next howl, and pour down. " "And then it clears up, with the sun shining brighter than ever, ain'tthat so, Tony? Of course it is. Well, " went on Phil, sagely, "I guessI can size the McGee up, all right. He's just got a fiendish temper. He does things on the spur of the moment, that he's sorry forafterwards. All right. I can understand such a man; and Tony, take itfor me, I'd rather deal with such a fiery disposition than the cold, calculating one of the man who never gets mad. I'm going to win overthe McGee, see if I don't. " "Huh! just hope yuh do, Phil, " said the other, eagerly. "If anybodykin do that, yuh kin, I declar. But I'm 'fraid 'bout what he does w'enhe larns that yuh happens tuh be the boy uh Doc Lancing!" "But Tony, you were thinking about something else too, besides this, "the other went on, smilingly. "Yep, that so, Phil, " replied Tony, promptly, as though relieved in ameasure to change the conversation to some other subject. "Was it not about the little sister you left up-river?" Phil continued;for he could read the other like an open book. "Madge!" murmured the swamp boy, and his soft way of pronouncing thatsweet name was the nearest approach to a caress in the human voice Philhad ever heard. "You're wondering now if the good doctor from the North has arrived ontime; and how the operation is going to pan out? Of course you'reworried; because you must be anxious to know the best, or the worst. It was a shame that they chased you out of town before he arrived. " "I think so many times, " said Tony; "but now I see it not so bad. If Istay thar I never know you an' Larry. It heap worth while that I be'long with yuh when yuh kim down hyah tuh the land uh the McGee. P'raps Tony might help keep yuh from bein' whipped, er tarred an'feathered. " "Good gracious!" ejaculated poor Larry, as he heard these fearful wordsdrop from the lips of the other; "you don't mean to say he'd think oftreating a couple of innocent, harmless kids like that, Tony? But thenPhil has a winning way about him; and I'm ready to bank on him to bringyour awful dad around. " "How about those pigeons, Tony; do you still believe one of them canget back home, and bring the news your friend expects to send, afterthe operation has been finished, one way or the other?" Phil said this for two reasons. He really wanted to know what Tonythought; and at the same time wished to change the conversation; forLarry was apt to dwell upon that ugly black possibility of theirfeeling the weight of the McGee's violent temper, even though they didnot merit the punishment in the least. "I think they come home, " Tony declared steadily. "They fly stronglots times. Of course I never try far 'way, more'n ten mile. Let gothen, and always back in coop when I get home. Yep, sure one come withmessage. Hope it soon, 'case then McGee he mebbe feel not so mad, an'p'raps leave Phil go on down river. " Always was he thinking of his new companions. It gave Phil a strangesensation in the region of his heart to realize how dear he and Larrymust have become to this wild son of the swamp, in the brief time hehad known them. And on their part, they too felt the keenest interestin Tony McGee and his fortunes. The hour grew late. Once in a while some sound would be borne to their ears from thequarter where as they knew by this time the settlement of theshingle-makers lay. The night wind was soft and low, but it carriedwhispers on its wings. Clouds still covered the heavens, and Philfancied that they might yet have rain, though there was really no signof one of those cold storms that periodically come chasing down fromthe north in winter time, and are termed "Northers" by the shiveringcrackers. Larry was beginning to yawn. He did not really want to go to bed aslong as the others were up; but tired nature was getting the best ofhis good intentions. And besides, he had gone through quite a littlestress while trying so furiously to climb that rope, so that hismuscles were actually sore, though he refrained from telling his chumso, not wishing to be considered in the tenderfoot class any longer. "Hello! none of that, now!" exclaimed Phil, as upon bending down, afterhearing a suspiciously heavy sound of breathing he discovered thatLarry had actually fallen asleep while sitting there. "Wake up, andmake your bed! The sooner you tumble in, the better for you, old top!Why, you're snoring to beat the band. " "Don't want to go till the rest do, " mumbled Larry. "That's all right, " laughed Phil, who could understand the real motivethat actuated the now ambitious Boy Scout; "we're all going to followsuit. Hi! get a move on, Tony, and lug out your blanket. No matterwhat happens, we oughtn't to let it keep us from getting a snooze. That's good horse sense, believe me. " "Sure, " said Larry, stirring with an effort, for he felt very stiff. "Me to hit the downy pillow, which ain't so soft after all, if it ismade up of only air. But I'm dead tired, and want to rest the worstkind. Thank you, Tony, for helping me. Ain't used to be chased by amoss-back 'gator every day. Kind of gave me a bad five minutes, and Imust have taken a little cold too. Now I'm fixed all hunky dory. Goodnight, fellows! Wake me early, mother dear, for tomorrow--tomorrow--" Larry did not even finish the sentence. Sleep grappled with hisfaculties as he was mumbling in this fashion. "Say, he's off, Tony, as sure as you live, " chuckled Phil. "My! don'tI sometimes wish I could forget all my troubles like Larry can, as soonas he lays his head down. But no two are alike. And now Tony, that hecan't hear us, what's to be the programme in case they come tonight;for I know you more'n half expect to see some of your people turn uphere, for Barker will have carried the news home?" "Yuh jest mustn't do nawthin', Phil, " said the swamp boy earnestly. "If so be they comes, weuns has got tuh throw up our hands, and callquits. Take hit jest as cool as yuh kin, an' leave hit tuh me. Theyain't agwine tuh hu't yuh, so long's Tony McGee's 'long. An' I suremeans tuh let 'em know what all yuh done foh me. Jest hold up yuhhan's, and say yuh was acomin' down hyah tuh talk with McGee. An' Ireckons as how yuh won't be in too big a hurry tuh tell how yuh happenstuh be Doc. Lancing's boy. " With these last words of Tony's ringing in his ears Phil lay down totry and coax sleep to visit his eyes. But he knew he would have adifficult task, because of the fact that his affairs were nowapproaching the climax which, viewed from afar had not seemed soserious, but which now took on a more somber hue. Tony had crawled forward, where he cuddled under his warm blanket. Phil knew that he had taken particular pains to settle himself down, sothat he could easily stretch out his hand, and touch the new comrade ofwhom he had become so fond. It was a mute expression of his devotion;just after the same manner as shown by the favorite hound that curlshimself up at his master's feet, where he can be ready to defend himagainst any ill that springs up unexpectedly. "Oh! I never wished so much before in all my life, " Phil was saying tohimself over and over, as he lay there thinking, "that things wouldturn out all right; and somehow I just seem to feel, deep down in myheart, that they must, they must!" By degrees his eyes became heavy. He had not enjoyed any too muchsleep since the cruise had started. One thing and another hadconspired to keep him awake each night; and although Phil was a lad ofunusual will power, he had found it beyond him to altogether shut outthe possibilities that lay in wait for them in the near future. Finally he slept. The night wore on, so that several hours passed. From down-streamthere came a low sound that was not unlike the dip of paddles. Tonyraised his head the better to listen; and from this fact it becameevident that the devoted swamp lad had not allowed himself to secure aminute's sleep up to that time. He listened. Sometimes the sound seemed clear, and then again it woulddie away, according to the whim of the night air. But Tony wasaccustomed to judging such things. He presently made up his mind thatthe dip of paddles was getting continually closer; and that one boat atleast was ascending the river, crossing from side to side, as it mightbe. Having ascertained this fact to his own satisfaction, Tony reached outhis hand, and touched the face of Phil, which was only partly coveredby the blanket. "Yes, what is it, Tony?" whispered the other, arousing instantly, though he had been in a sound slumber at the time. "They come!" replied the swamp boy, in a tone inaudible five feet away. Phil was conscious of a sudden thrill of anticipation. No one couldsay what the immediate future held for himself and his chum. And thediscovery of the tied-up motor boat would now be a matter of shortduration, once those keen-eyed men from the squatter settlement arrivedon the scene. So Phil only sat there and awaited developments. CHAPTER XVIII THE COMING OF THE TERRIBLE MCGEE The sound of the dripping paddles grew more persistent. Undoubtedlythe dugout was drawing closer and closer. Phil could presentlydistinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was thiseffort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion, and consequent splashing from time to time. He watched it begin to cross over from the denser shadows along theother bank. Using his eyes to their limit he fancied he could justmake out two moving figures in the coming boat. Phil wondered whatform their discovery of the object of their search would take; andwhether these two fellows might alone attempt to make prisoners ofthose aboard the motor boat. All at once he noted that the dark, log-like looking water craft hadcome to a halt, so far as approaching the bank was concerned. The twomen plied their paddles softly now, but only to keep from being carrieddown-stream by the ever restless current. They had spied the tied-up craft, and were whispering together. Philwaited to see what they meant to do. If his hand unconsciously creptout toward the faithful Marlin gun, it was hardly with any idea that hemeant to make use of the weapon; but instinct alone guided his move. Ah! now they were once more moving. They had ceased to paddle, and thedugout began to glide down the river. They were apparently going away!Did that mean they expected to pass over the whole two miles betweenthat point and the village of the lawless shingle-makers? Now he could no longer see them. Tony was stirring again; and Philbelieved it safe to send a whisper toward the swamp lad, desirous ofseeking information from the one who ought to know. "They have gone away, Tony!" he said, carefully; but it could not bethat he feared arousing Larry, who slept on peacefully through it all, lost to the world. "Yep, I reckoned they would, " came the immediate answer. "But why did they drop back when they might have climbed aboard, andcaptured us while we slept?" Phil continued. "Huh! not gone far. Phil wait, an' see how!" "Oh! is that it?" echoed the other, as a light began to dawn upon him;and he continued to sit there, watching for a sign. Perhaps five minutes passed. Phil had no means for marking the flightof time, and doubtless it seemed much more than that to him. Then he suddenly saw something a little distance down the stream, thattold him a fire had been started. Rapidly it grew in volume, until theentire vicinity was brilliantly illuminated; and he could easily seethe two squatters moving back and forth, piling brush on the flames. Of course Phil understood that this was a signal fire. These men, searching all along the river for the mysterious craft that was comingdown toward the settlement from the hostile country above, haddoubtless arranged to call their fellows to the spot in case they madea discovery. "It means the coming of the whole bunch, don't it, Tony?" he asked, ashe saw the flames shooting upward, so that the light might easily havebeen seen a mile or more away. "That so, Phil, " replied the other, moodily. "I 'spect this same, yuhknow. On'y hope McGee, he be with alluns. " Tony was certainly nervous, which was a queer thing; for ordinarily theswamp boy seemed to be as cool and self-possessed as an Indian brave, who thought it a blur on his manhood to display emotion in the face ofhis enemies. Some time passed. The fire was kept burning, though not quite soriotously as in the beginning. Evidently the two men believed thatlong ere this its reflected light on the clouds overhead must have beenseen at the village; and doubtless the entire male population was evennow on the way thither, following some strip of dry land that was wellknown to them. "There, look, I can count four!" said Phil, with thrilling emphasis. "Now six!" was the quick response of Tony. Sure enough, the recruits were arriving very fast. Phil could see themcome out of the gloom of the forest, and into the circle of light castby the fire. All were men, and even at that distance he could mark thefact that they appeared to be of unusual height. But then the peopleup-river, who hated and feared the shingle-makers of the swamps, hadtold him they were giants, strapping fellows all. "Oh! that must be McGee!" This broke involuntarily from the lips of Phil as he saw a man of evengreater stature than any of the others, stride out of the woods, andimmediately beckon for the rest to gather around him. "Yep, it is him!" breathed Tony, who also had his eyes glued on thattall, commanding figure, as though fascinated by its presence, eventhough he had been familiar with the same from infancy. Phil was conscious of a queer sensation as he for the first time lookedupon the man of whom he had heard so many strange conflicting stories. But long ago he had come to the conclusion that possibly half of thebad things said about the McGee by his enemies could hardly be true. They hated and feared him so much that his faults were undoubtedlymagnified many fold; while his virtues remained unsung. He would see for himself. And judging from the way things were comingon, the crisis could not be long withheld now. That caused Phil to remember that he had a chum aboard the Aurora. Itseemed hardly fair that Larry should be kept in utter ignorance up tothe very moment when the mine were sprung. The shock must be all themore severe under such conditions; and Larry would not be saved anyagony of mind by the delay. So Phil leaned over and shook the sleeper. "Let up on that, Lanky!" grumbled Larry, who had doubtless beendreaming he was once more with some of his comrades at home; "I ain'tagoin' to move, I tell yuh. Get breakfast first, and then call me. Go'way!" But Phil only renewed his shaking. "Wake up, Larry!" he called softly; "the shingle-makers have come toboard us! Get a move on, can't you?" A startled exclamation, followed by a great upheaval, told that Larryhad now grappled with the truth. "W--where, which, how, why? Tell me, Phil, what's that fire doing downthere? Oh! I hope now they ain't getting it hot for us, the tar, Imean!" he gasped, as he stared in the quarter where all those movingfigures could be seen between the blaze and themselves. "Oh, rats! get that out of your mind, Larry!" observed Phil, thoughtruth to tell, it had cropped up in his own brain more than a few timesto give him a bit of worry. "They begin tuh come this way!" said Tony, with a catch in his voice, as though he were keyed up to a nervous tension because of thesituation. Phil could see this for himself, because there was a general movementamong the various figures around the signal fire. Larry was heard moving restlessly. Perhaps he could not get it out ofhis mind that the fire had really been started so as to heat up thedreadful tar, with which he and his chum were to be smeared before thesquatters made them into uncouth birds by the addition of a shower offeathers, taken from some old broken pillow; and then turned them looseto continue their voyage down-stream. Yes, the gathered clan of the McGee was certainly marching in thedirection of the tied-up motor boat. And at their head came the bulkyfigure of the giant leader. Somehow, even in that minute of dreadful uncertainty, Phil was remindedof what he had read about some Highland chief leading his tartan clanto battle, a Rob Roy McGregor, it might be. But he had to think quickly. Inside of a few minutes the squatterswould have arrived alongside the motor boat; and the boys must expectto find themselves virtually prisoners of war; though they had come tothis region in Dixie without the slightest hostile intent. What then? Phil steadied himself for the great task that he knew awaited him. Nodoubt he and Larry would be taken across the land to the squattersettlement, so that the women and children might gaze upon them; forsomething seemed to tell Phil that even now his identity might be knownto at least McGee. "Come, let's light up our lanterns, " he said, getting to his feet; "ifwe're going to have company we oughtn't to receive them in the dark. Larry, you know where to find one; strike a match and give us somelight. " He purposely set his chum to doing something, knowing that it was thebest way of reassuring Larry. And although the hands of the othertrembled more or less as he went about getting the lighted match intouch with the turned-up wick of a lantern, he managed to accomplishthe job in a fairly satisfactory manner. They could hear the muttering of many voices, as the crowd drew near. Evidently the men had noted the springing up of the light, and werewondering whether they would be greeted with a discharge of firearms ornot. If, as most of them doubtless suspected, these people on the boat withwhom the son of the McGee seemed to be associating in a queer fashion, were really and truly spies, sent down by their hated enemies above, tofind out their weak points so that the sheriff might make the raid hehad long threatened, then they might yet be forced to capture the craftby violence; and they were primed for a battle royal. CHAPTER XIX TAKEN PRISONER Both lanterns had now been lighted, and were hung so that the interiorof the twenty-four foot motor boat was fairly illuminated. Phil had afine little searchlight in the bow, which he expected to make use of, if the time ever arrived when they would want to keep moving afternightfall; but there was no necessity for bringing this into play now. "I only hope none of the vandals think to smash things here, if theycarry us away to the village!" Larry gave vent to his thoughts, as theystood and waited for the coming of the squatters. "McGee, he not let that be, I think, " Tony hastened to say, so as toreassure the more timid Larry; who was quivering like a bowl of jellyover the unknown calamities that hung over their heads. Now the leaders of the marchers were close up. A dozen strong theywere pushing forward; and at their head strode the tallest of them all, the man who was head and shoulders above the rest. "Hello!" It was Phil who called out, and Larry started as though he had beenshot, so strung were his nerves. The crowd still came on. Perhaps they thought those on the boat meantto put up a desperate resistance; and it was policy in that event forthem to be as near as possible, before the word was given to carry thecraft by storm. "McGee, are you there?" continued Phil; and he was really surprisedhimself at the calm manner in which he could handle his voice; now thatthe critical moment had really come, all his fears seemed to havevanished. "That's me!" came back, in the heaviest voice Phil had ever heard; andwhich in fact seemed to accord perfectly with the giant figure of thehead of the clan. "Come aboard, please, " continued the boy, steadily, to the secretadmiration of both his chum and Tony. "I've been expecting to drop inat your place tomorrow to see you; but you've beat me out. " "Oh! we has, hey?" growled the giant, as with one effort he jumped uponthe boat the curtains of which the boys had drawn up, so that they werefastened to the inside of the standing roof. Strange to say the first thing McGee did was to reach out and clutchhis own boy. But if Phil expected to see him embrace Tony, he was verymuch mistaken. On the contrary he shook him much as a dog might a rat, until the boy'steeth seemed to rattle together. But Tony was used to this sort ofthing, no doubt; and he would not have protested, even though sufferingten times the amount of pain that may now have racked his slender frame. "What yuh doin' hyah, boy, tell me that?" roared the big man. "Whar'syuh leetle sister; and why so did yuh desart her up yander? If so beany harm's kim tuh Madge, I'll skin yuh alive, d'ye hyah me?" Phil was on the point of interfering, but on second thoughts herealized that this was a matter between father and son. Tony couldtake care of himself; and he knew best how to handle the terribleMcGee, whom men so feared. "She's thar in the horspittal, jest like yuh told me tuh leave her, "the boy said, steadily enough. "She's awaitin' till ther eye doctor hekims erlong down from the Nawth. They 'spected him yist'day. Reckonsas how he musta arriv. " "But why did yuh kim away, an' leave the pore leetle gal alone thar?"continued McGee, in a low but fearful voice. Already Phil realized that this man was no common creature, but one tobe reckoned with. He could now easily believe the stories he had heardabout the tremendous strength of the giant. And it was easy to see howhe kept control over the members of the squatter clan by sheer force ofcharacter. "She war bein' looked arter fine. Ther nusses was kind, an' they sezas how nawthin' cud be did till the doctor he kim. But I got chasedouten town by a gang o' men, an' they'd sure given me thuh cowhidin'they sez, on'y I hid aboard the boat uh these boys. They be'n mightygood tuh me too. They ain't nawthin' they wouldn't do foh me, I tellsyuh. An' ther critter as was leadin' them cowards as chased me acrostkentry, he was Kunnel Brashears!" Then the shingle-maker broke out into a string of profanity thatshocked Larry, and set him to shivering again. He could do little savestare at this remarkable man, and draw in great breaths. No doubt heregretted the evil day he had promised to accompany his chum down intothis region of swamps, alligators, wildcats, and lawless squatters. But it was much too late now to think of retreating; they had throwntheir hat into the ring, and must accept the consequences of theirrashness. McGee, turning, snatched a lantern from its resting place. This heheld alternately in front of, first Phil, and then Larry. Evidently hejudged the latter to be of small consequence anyway; for after thatmoment he paid attention only to the one whom he believed to be theleading spirit in the expedition. "Yuh don't 'pear tuh be a Southerner?" he said, frowning at Phil. "Oh! no, I've only come down here with my friend for a trip. We hadthe boat sent by rail, and launched her in the river above here. Weexpect later to run on down to the gulf, and do some cruising there. But first of all I wanted to stop over with the shingle-makers of theswamps, and meet you, McGee!" Phil said this without putting on airs. He knew that any one who foundhimself virtually in the power of these independent people, whorecognized no law save that of might, would be exceedingly foolish toshow signs of boasting. It was man to man now, and money did not countin the comparison. "Yuh wanted tuh meet up with me, yuh say?" the other observed, withsarcasm in his tones. "Wall now yuh see me, p'raps yuh don't jest likemy looks. If so be I thort them coward hounds up-river sent yuh downhyah tuh spy on us, an' inform thet rail-rid sheriff how he cud git tuhcotch us on the sly, I'd jest lay a cowhide acrost yer backs till thewelts they stood up like ropes. " "I have nothing to do with the people of that town, " declared Phil, resolutely. "So far as I saw of their actions, they are a lot ofcowards, who could chase after a half-grown boy, but draw the line atcoming down here to meet men. " "Then tell me why did yuh pick out this yer stream tuh bring yer boatdown; I reckons they be heaps o' others thet'd suited better?" demandedMcGee. "Why, I told you that I wanted to see you and that it was with thatplan in my mind I selected this river of them all, " replied the boy. Tony was hovering near. He had not even attempted to escape when thatiron hand of his father loosened its clutch on his shirt. Of course heunderstood to what end all these things must lead; and that it was nowa mere matter of seconds when the fact must be disclosed that the boywith whom he had been associating was in reality the only son and childof the man these squatters hated above every human being on earth. And he could imagine the effect of that explosion on the hot temper ofMcGee. No wonder then that Tony felt alternate flushes of heat, andspasms of cold pass over his body, as he hung upon every word Phil gaveutterance to. He dreaded what his father might be tempted to do in thefirst flash of his anger; and Tony was holding himself ready to jumpinto the breach. He was accustomed to feeling the weight of theMcGee's displeasure, but it pained him to think that it must fall onhis best of benefactors, and his new found chum. The man again flirted the lantern forward, as he took another look intothe calm face of the boy. Phil met the piercing gaze of McGee with asteadiness that doubtless impressed him; for of a certainty McGee mustbe a reader of character, since he had never had a school education. He knew that this was no ordinary young fellow who had come down theriver on board the new-fangled boat that needed nothing in the way ofoars, yet made no steam like the tugs which came up to take theircypress shingles to market. A number of the men had climbed aboard by this time. They stoodaround, staring at the elegance to which they were unaccustomed; yetnot venturing to so much as lift a finger toward taking possession ofthings. Until their leader gave the word they would refrain fromlooting the captured boat. His simple word was law among the swampshingle-makers. "Yuh keep asayin' as how yuh wanted tuh meet up wid me, younker, " McGeepresently remarked in his deep, booming voice. "Wall, now, surpose yuhjest up an' tells why yuh shud feel thetaway. If harf they sez 'boutthe McGee be true, they ain't nobody but a crazy men as'd want tuh runacrost 'im. " "But I don't believe one-half of what I hear about you, " said Phil. "They warned me that it was foolish to make the try; but I kept onsaying that McGee was a fighter who never made war on boys, and he'dlisten to what I had to say, even if he didn't want to shake hands, andcall it a go. " "What's thet?" demanded the giant, suspiciously. "Yuh act like yuhkerried sumthin' 'long wid yuh, younker?" "So I do--a message, a letter to you, McGee!" came the quick reply. "Then yuh'll jest hev tuh deliver it in tork, 'case I cain't read aword. My wife, she allers wanted me tuh larn; but I sez as how 'twarno use tuh me in my line o' work; so she gets the chillen tuh take hitup. Tony thar kin read; an' the lettle gal she knows heaps foh a blindchile. But speak up, younker, an' tell me who sent yuh wid the letter?" "My father did, McGee, " Phil went on, striving to keep the tremor fromhis voice. "He believed that you had been deceived about him, and hewas determined that you should know him as he is, not as he has beendescribed to you by those who want to make trouble. " "Yuh father? Tell me, who's boy be yuh?" demanded the giant, scowlingominously as he bent down over the young owner of the power boat. "His name is well known to you, " said Phil, boldly; "it is DoctorGideon Lancing, of Philadelphia. " CHAPTER XX AMONG THE SHINGLE-MAKERS At first Phil thought the giant was about to strike him a frightfulblow; for the hand that was free from holding the lantern doubled upfiercely. Tony, indeed, uttered a pitiful little cry that was almost asob; and throwing himself forward clung to the arm of his terriblefather. But he was immediately flung roughly aside as though he werebut vermin. "So, yuh be his boy, ther man as is a-gwine tuh cla'r weuns off hisland if hit takes all ther sojers in Floridy tuh do hit?" gritted McGeebetween his strong white teeth. Then his mood seemed to change like magic, for he laughed hoarsely, andlooked around at the rough spirits by whom they were hemmed in. "Wot yuh think o' thet, men, this hyah leetle critter is the son o' oleDoc. Lancing, ther man we's gwine tuh tar an' feather jest as soon ashe dars show his hide down thisaways. He jest kim hyah as trustin' asa dove, thinkin' weuns'd never dar lift a hand ag'in 'im, case thesojers they'd foller arter him. Wot we'll jest do tuh this kid ain'twuth mentionin', air hit, men?" Then arose loud and tumultuous shouts, that made poor Larry crumple upas if he wanted to hide in a thimble. He looked around at the dark andangry faces to the right and to the left; and again wished he hadthought twice before embarking on this wild scheme of Phil's. "Shut up!" roared McGee; and the tumult was hushed as if by magic. The leader looked about him, his strong face working with mingledpassion and pleasure. Phil was somehow reminded of a story, heard inthe long ago, a parable about the lord of the vineyard, who sent hisson to treat with those in possession; and what those unruly spiritsdid to the young man was so vividly impressed on his mind right now, that it gave him a very uncomfortable feeling. History might repeatitself. And he was the son of the rich man who owned the property! "Listen tuh me, men, " called out McGee, when every eye was glued on hisface. "We'll take these critters back tuh hum with us. Ben, let Martyhev yuh gun. I 'p'int him tuh stay by the boat, and guard thuh same. An' remember, all o' yuh, if so much as a single thing is stolen, yuh'll give an account tuh McGee! understan'?" Evidently they did, for a number of faces assumed a look ofdisappointment, as though hopes had been entertained that they were toloot the motor boat, just as though they were pirates of the SpanishMain. "Git ashore, you!" said the giant, as he motioned with his hand afterthe manner of one who was accustomed to being obeyed. Phil did not even attempt to pick up his gun. He knew that weaponwould be of no use to him in his present trouble. Something farstronger than a repeating shotgun was needed to extricate him from thedifficulty into which his venturesome spirit had carried him. Still, he was far from being discouraged. He had not yet shot hisbolt. When this leader of the shingle-makers learned about themagnificent offer which his father had made, surely he could never holdthe same feelings of bitter resentment and hatred toward the new ownerof all those miles of cypress swamps, with their millions upon millionsof feet of valuable timber waiting to be marketed. "Come on, Larry, we're going to see the village of the McGees soonerthan we expected, " and as he stepped from the boat to the shore, Philtook care to link his arm with that of his chum, being desirous ofcheering the other up as well as possible. "And do we have to walk two miles over all that ricketty kind of land?"groaned poor fat Larry, perspiring at the very thought of the labor. So they left the motor boat, and Phil could not help wondering whetherthey were fated to ever set eyes on it again. Perhaps the men mightdisregard the orders of their chief, and loot the craft of everythingmovable, even disabling the steady going motor, so that it would be asso much waste junk afterwards. Tony must have divined his thoughts, for he took occasion to runalongside, and mutter in Phil's ear: "Don't yuh bother 'bout the boat; she won't be teched arter what hesed. Ther man don't live thet dar's go ag'in McGee's order. Hit's allright, Phil, all right!" They quickly reached the spot where the big signal fire had burned longenough to bring the crowd all the way from the distant village. It wasstill blazing up now and then, so that the near vicinity was far fromgloomy; but the work of the fire had been finished. McGee led the way straight to where the long hollowed-out log boatrested, the prow drawn up on the shelving shore. "Git in!" he said, in his deep voice that was like the rumble ofdistant thunder. "Bully! we're going to paddle down by water! Ain't I glad though!"exclaimed the relieved Larry, as he only too gladly clambered over theedge, and found a seat amidships of the dugout canoe. "Yuh git in too, Tony, " said McGee, gloomily, as he motioned to his boy. Evidently he was still in a towering rage but at the same time therewere so many things he could not understand in connection with thecoming of this Lancing boy, and Tony's being in his company, that hewas holding himself back with a great effort. McGee himself sat in the stern of the boat, paddle in hand. As theyexpected to drift with the current, always swift in these deep Floridastreams, there was no need of additional motive power; though Tony hadalso picked up another paddle, as if he meant to assist. So they started away. Looking back Larry could for some time see thelanterns gleaming aboard the snug motor boat, and how his heart wentout to the cozy little craft. If only he and Phil were again aboard, and many miles below this settlement of the lawless shingle-makers, howdelighted he would be. He even gave a deep sigh that was akin to agroan when a turn of the river blotted out the glow of those twinlights, and darkness profound surrounded them. There was only the mysterious gurgling of the black water, or themeasured dip of the paddle, with its consequent dripping of unseendrops, to tell that they were speeding swiftly along; though if helooked shoreward Larry could see the bordering trees passing in solemnreview, and in this fashion might realize just how fast they wereprogressing. No one said a word during the little voyage. Phil was busy with hisown thoughts, and arranging his programme for the expected interviewwith McGee, when he meant to spring his surprise on the gruff giant. Larry on his part had apparently lost all inclination to speak; whichwas something quite out of the common with him, since he liked to hearhimself talk, and believed that a budding lawyer should always findsomething to say. Tony was dumb with a nameless fear. He knew the violent rage intowhich this father of his could fly, and he dreaded lest while in such astate McGee do that which he might always regret. And the giant inturn was puzzling his brain with the intricacies of the problem bywhich he was faced. Larry felt a hand twitch his arm. "Look ahead, " said the voice of his chum in his ear; and upon raisinghis head, and casting his eyes beyond the prow of the long dugout, hediscovered lights. "The village!" he exclaimed; but it would be hard to discover anythinglike pleasure in the quavering voice with which he said this. "Thet's it!" observed Tony, listlessly. McGee made no remark, but continued to ply the paddle. Presently theboat was headed in toward the shore. Phil saw that it would have beennext to impossible for the Aurora to have passed by here without beingdiscovered; unless they had picked out an hour between midnight anddawn, when all the settlement might be asleep. As the boat ran up on a shelving beach, Tony was the first one to jumpout. In rapid succession Phil, Larry, and finally McGee himself, stoodon the shore. Their coming had been already noted. Several yellow mongrel dogs camebounding toward them, barking loudly; but at one word in the heavyvoice of McGee it was astonishing to see how quickly they cowed down, and with tails between their legs, skulked away. "Why, even the dogs fear him like the devil does holy water!" whisperedLarry, in the ear of his chum. "He's a wonder, that's what!" muttered Phil; for despite the apparentviolent nature of the big man, there was something attractive aboutMcGee; and Phil really believed that once he gained the good will ofthe other, the squatter head of the clan would prove to be a differentsort of a man from what rumor pictured him. After the dogs came a swarm of dirty children of all ages. Many werein rags, all of them barefooted, and the girls had unkempt hair thatmade them look all the wilder. Evidently when the light had been seen, and the men went forth inobedience to the signal, the balance of the inhabitants of the villagehad been aroused, and remained up ever since, waiting to see what wouldbe the result. Somehow Phil felt deeply stirred at seeing how poverty stricken thewomen and children were. Money must be a scarce thing among them thesedays. Perhaps it was the fault of the men, who would work only whenthe humor seized them; or again it might be that they got such a smallprice for their shingles by the time they reached market that it wasonly with difficulty they kept the wolf from the door. And yet these wretched people cared for their homes here in the midstof the great swamps; yes, so much so that they were ready to fight forthem, wretched hovels that they seemed to be in Phil Lancing's eyes. Wondering looks were cast upon the two boys as they followed McGee upthe bank, and into the midst of the village. Perhaps they might evenhave been a target for more or less abuse only that McGee was along. When some of the boys began to call out, and thrust their hands towardLarry, as if threatening to pinch him, because he was so very plump, the giant only needed to turn and glare at the offenders to make themslink away, thoroughly cowed. Several old men seemed to be the only ones about the place, all of theothers having hastened to obey the signal when McGee led off. "And all this can be changed, if only he will accept the generous offerI am bearing him, " said Phil to himself, as he looked around at theevidences of squalor and poverty. "Inside of six months this placecould have a thrifty look; the women would own decent dresses, thechildren shoes for their feet if they wanted them; yes, and even aschoolhouse would stand right in the middle of the village, with ateacher ready to show these poor things how to read and write, ifnothing more. Oh! don't I hope he acts sensible, and accepts! But I'mmore afraid than I'd like Larry to know. I can see a lurking look inMcGee's eyes that frightens me, even while I'm smiling so bravely. " He had just finished saying this to himself when he saw Tony leading awoman toward them. There was something akin to pride in the action ofthe swamp boy. "It's his mother, Larry, " said Phil, instantly; "don't you rememberthat he told us long ago she used to teach school down in Pensacola, orsomewhere else?" "Well, you'd hardly believe it now, " muttered Larry; for the woman wasvery much like the others of the squatter village, in that her dresswas homely. But Phil noticed that her hair was neatly arranged; and despite hercoarse attire there was a certain air of refinement about her. Tony had evidently managed to give her an inkling, not only as to theidentity of his new friends, but how they had been so good to him. Shewas smiling as she advanced, even though Phil could also see a shadowof anxiety on her face. "She ought to know the McGee, if anybody does, " he thought. "And sheis afraid he'll be mean toward us, and think only of striking a blow atthe man he has come to hate without any real cause. " It was not a pleasant thought, and Phil tried hard to get it out of hismind by advancing to meet Tony and his mother. McGee, as if convincedthat escape was utterly impossible, did not seem to pay much attentionto his prisoners, once he had brought them safely to the village. Hewas talking to the two old men, and probably telling them just who Philwas, for they could be seen scowling as they glanced toward the boy. "This is him, mother, " said Tony, pointing to Phil, whose hand hehastened to grip. Phil saw the eyes of the wife of McGee survey him closely. Perhaps shehad half expected to see some sort of wild animal; for surely such astern, cold-blooded tyrant as Doctor Lancing had been pictured to theseignorant people of the swamp lands he owned, could only have a son oflike character. But if so her disappointment was complete. "I am glad to meet you, Philip, " she said, in a soft, Southern voice, and with all the refining influences about it that years among thesestrange people could not banish. "My son Tony tells me you have beenvery kind to him. I only wish I could say I was glad you have come;but my husband has conceived a most dreadful feeling toward yourfather; and I am afraid it will fall heavily upon you. All that I maydo to soften his anger you can count on; but I fear it will not be ofmuch avail, when once his temper is aroused. " Phil pressed her hand with great pleasure. He saw that despite herconstant association with such demoralizing influences, Mrs. McGee wasstill a true Southern gentlewoman. And as a morsel of yeast may leaventhe entire lump of dough, so her presence here in the midst of suchunruly elements might yet prove their salvation. "Oh! I'm not afraid, ma'am, I promise you, " he replied, laughing as hespoke; although he really did not feel one-half so merry as he madeout; for he could see the baleful eyes of the watching McGee fastenedupon them at that minute, as he stood not far away. "I came here onpurpose to meet McGee. I carry a letter from my father, in which heasks the assistance of every man in this place to build up a lumberbusiness here on the river, and market the stuff at top-notch prices. It would mean money right along for every worker; it would mean thateach family might have a patch of land all their own, as big as theycould work for a garden; and it would mean that from this time on thewomen of this place would be able to have the things they should. I amtelling you this, ma'am, so you can carry it to the other women;because, perhaps in the end, we may have to depend on their influenceto swing the men around. And that is the message my father sends. Hewants to be the friend of you all; and he's coming down here himself toprove that his letter stands for the truth!" And as the poor woman saw the brightness of the picture he paintedtears came unbidden into her eyes, and she turned hastily away to hideher emotion. CHAPTER XXI A GLOOMY OUTLOOK "What can we do, Phil?" As Larry put this question he looked mournfully at his chum, and triedto keep from shivering, though it was indeed hard work. The night had passed. Both boys had been allowed a chance to securesome sleep, having been placed in an empty shanty; but as neither ofthem dared lie down on the straw that formed a rude couch on the boardfloor, they were compelled to "snatch a few winks, " as Larry termed it, sitting up. In the morning they had been fed, after a fashion. Larry bemoaned thefact that while he had to partake of the unsavory mess or go hungry, all that fine "grub" was going to waste on the Aurora, not more than amile away. Phil did not show the anxiety he felt. Since coming into personalcontact with the terrible McGee he had lost some of the enthusiasm andconfidence that had up to then marked his actions. The leader of thesquatter clan was so much more formidable than he had anticipated, thatPhil himself began to fear his mission was doomed to be a failure. It was a serious outlook they faced, particularly Phil. They mightallow Larry to get off scot free, since he was not a Lancing, andlooked so innocent of any wrong intent; but with Phil the matter wasdifferent. What if the stubborn giant utterly refused to believe the goodintentions of the new owner of the cypress swamp lands? What if hefelt convinced that it was all a sly trick; and that the millionairehad sent his son down simply to take notes, in order that presently thesheriff, backed by the State troops, could enforce the edict ofeviction? Phil always put that idea away from his mind when it tried to forceitself upon him. And yet from every hand he had heard that McGee was amost determined man, who, having conceived a thing, could not bechanged. Even his own wife and son had said that about him. And so, still hoping for the best, Phil now turned toward his troubledchum, with a forced smile on his face. "Nothing much, I guess, Larry; only wait for a chance to talk againwith McGee, " he replied, cheerily. "But the morning is passing, and he doesn't seem to want to see you atall, " complained the other. "But sooner or later he will, you mark me, " answered the positive one, wishing to ease the strain he knew was on Larry's poor mind. "But you told his wife what sort of message you carried, " Larry wenton, his voice dejected enough to imagine him at a funeral; "and sureshe must have managed to let him know, because she promised to do allshe could. " "That's what I'm banking on, " Phil continued. "She must have more orless influence with McGee. He is proud of her education; and wants hischildren to follow after her, and not be raised as ignorant as himself. So perhaps the leaven in the lump will work. Only when he gets one ofhis pig-headed streaks on, nobody in the world can influence him, Tonyadmits. " "Poor Tony looked so mournful when he brought in our breakfast; I feltbluer than ever just to see him, " remarked Larry. "Yes, the boy is really fond of us, " Phil declared, with conviction inhis tone. "He can see further than his obstinate dad, and knows thegolden opportunity for a future is now in the grasp of McGee. Hedreads the result of passion blinding his father to everything else. " "So do I, " asserted Larry, briskly. "I can't help thinking of whatTony said about making that sheriff into a bird! What if they take anotion to do us that way. Just imagine me with a nasty, sticky coat ofblack tar; and then covered with downy feathers! Oh, my goodness!Phil, however would I get it off again? Every inch of skin would comewith it. " "Well, don't get cold feet, Larry, whatever you do, " remarked his chum;though the gruesome picture Larry drew made him shut his teeth hardtogether, and turn a trifle pale. "I'm in hopes that, no matter whatthey do to me, they'll let you off, because you're not concerned inthis matter at all. " "Ain't I?" cried Larry, indignantly. "I'm your chum, I guess; andwhat's good enough for you is ditto for me. If they hand you a newcoat, think I'm going to let 'em skip me in the bargain sale? Not forJoseph! Not for a minute! Sink or swim, survive or perish, we'repards, you and me, Phil. If you can stand it, sure I ought to; andthat's flat!" Phil stretched out his hand, and squeezed that of his comrade. At anyrate it was worth something just to learn how loyal a chum he had;though perhaps he might have fancied some other way of ascertaining thefact. "Seems to me there's a whole lot of excitement going on outside there!"remarked Larry, suspiciously, some time later. "And I'm going to tryand see if I c'n get a squint at the same. Perhaps this is a holidayfor the McGees. Perhaps they're bent on having high jinks because theyexpect to feast on that nice supply of civilized grub in our motorboat. Oh! won't I just be glad if ever we get back to decent livingagain. Hoe cake baked in ashes may be filling; but it don't strike mejust in the right spot; and especially after I've seen the old womanwho cooked it, too. Ugh!" Grumbling in this fashion Larry proceeded to climb up to the littlewindow that seemed to be at some distance from the floor; and whichmade Phil believe this particular shanty must have originally beenintended for a prison of some sort. A minute later a loud exclamation and lament from Larry drew hisattention. "What's all the row?" he demanded, his own curiosity aroused. "Oh! if you could only see what they're doing, Phil?" groaned theclinging one, as he still stared out of the small opening through whichthe outside air reached the captives of the squatter tribe. "Suppose you tell me, then?" suggested Phil, promptly enough. "Don't you believe these shingle-makers down here may have just alittle touch of Injun blood in their veins?" demanded Larry. "Because, as sure as anything, they're driving two big stakes right into theground out here--two of 'em, do you understand, Phil? And the kids area-dancin' around like the very old Harry; just like Injuns might dowhen they expected to burn a prisoner at the stake!" "What!" cried Phil, staggered at first; and then incredulous at thestrange assertion of his chum, he too started to climb up the rough logwall so as to reach the window opening. "There, look for yourself, Chum Phil!" gasped Larry, as the otherjoined him. "I just felt it in my bones I would come to some bad end. But, oh! what would my poor mother think if she knew her boy was goingto be a candle, a torch!" "Oh, shucks! Larry, don't you believe that sort of stuff!" Phildeclared, even though it did look very significant to see those twinstakes being driven into the ground, with a crowd of ragged andbarefooted youngsters showing savage delight, as keen as though acircus had come to town. "Then what are they meaning to do with those stakes?" demanded Larry. "Oh! well, that's hard to say, " stammered Phil. "Perhaps they doexpect to fix us up there, just for a frolic, and have some fun withus. But even McGee, ugly as he is, wouldn't dream of burning anybodyat the stake!" "All right then, it's the other thing, " said Larry. "Just look at whatthey're luggin' over now, and tell me if you can, what it is. " When the industrious bunch of half-grown boys opened up enough for Philto get a glimpse of the heavy object that engaged their attention, hecould not keep from uttering an exclamation of chagrin. "See, you know just as well as I do that it's a sure melting pot fortar!" exclaimed Larry, hoarsely. "Anybody with one eye could see that, because there's tar all over it. Guess they use it with some of theirboats. And Phil, look at that old hag toting that awful bag on herhead. What d'ye suppose is in that but geese feathers as old as thehills! Oh, murder! we're up against it good and hard. I can almostfeel my wings beginning to sprout right now!" "Hold on, Larry, " Phil remarked. "It looks like they meant to scareus, and have a little fun at our expense; but that doesn't mean they'llgo through the whole performance. Give me a chance to spring myfather's letter on McGee, and see what it does to him. Why, he wouldhave to be next door to crazy to refuse such a magnificent offer to gointo partnership with the man who owns these lands; for that's aboutwhat it means in the end. " "But they say he is nigh crazy when he gets one of his stubborn fitson!" declared the other, dejectedly. "He just can't see anything elsebut the one thing that's on his mind. And right now, Phil, that's thefact of his having in his power the only son of the man he hates likepoison. Besides, you told me he said he couldn't read a word; so how'she goin' to know that the letter says what you declare it does?" Phil had himself thought of that. "His wife could read it for him, or perhaps even Tony, " he said. "Aw! d'ye think a suspicious man like McGee would trust either of 'emin a matter like this? Not for a minute, Phil. He'd think they mightbe fooling him, just to save us from getting our downy coats. Trysomething else, please. " "Tony said there was one old fellow in the settlement who could read, "observed Phil, thoughtfully. "Don't you remember he told us a queerstory about old Daddy Mixer, who seems to be some sort of naturaldoctor among these people, and comes by his name from mixing all sortsof herbs as medicine. He can read; and besides, McGee would believehim where he mightn't his own family. " "Say, that's so!" exclaimed Larry, looking decidedly interested. "Andyou could ask to have him read it out loud, so everybody might hear thegenerous offer your good dad makes to every man, woman and child nowliving on his lands down here. Oh! perhaps it might sweep the crowdoff their feet. Don't I hope now it does that same thing. I ain'tyearning for a new suit of down one little bit. " "It may please the ragtag and bobtail crowd from the ground up, " saidPhil soberly; "but you take it from me, Larry, unless McGee himself isconvinced, there's nothing doing. He's the Great Mogul of this place, the PooBah of the swamp settlement. When he takes snuff they allsneeze. He holds all the offices; and not a man-jack of them dares tosay a word, when McGee holds up his finger. He rules with a rod ofiron. So it is McGee alone I'm hoping to convince. That done, theothers will fall in line, just like knocking down a row of bricks. " "There he is now, with a lot of the men around him. They keep lookingover this way, Phil, like they were talking about us. " "And I guess that's what they're doing, " remarked the other, as hewatched the gesticulating group a minute. "I wonder, now, has Tony'smother spread the news far and wide among the other women of thevillage? What if they've already scented the glorious chance to getthe things they've just wanted all their lives? And each woman mayhave been laying down the law to her man! Yes, they seem to be arguingabout something or other, for most of 'em look sour or disgruntled. " "But just notice McGee, would you?" sighed Larry. "He looks as blackas thunder when he speaks first to one and then to another. They'redead afraid of him, that's what! They've had their say, and he's put adamper on it all. See him shake his fist at that fellow; and how hecringes like a whipped cur! Oh! Phil, whatever did you come down hereto try and do anything for that terrible tyrant?" But Phil shook his head, as though not yet wholly convinced that he hadmade a serious blunder in undertaking the trip. "There is a heap of good in that man, " he declared between his setteeth; "if only one could get under his tough hide. I'm still hopingthe letter will strike home with him, Larry. Don't lose all hope yet!" "But if it doesn't, we're in a bad box, Phil, " said Larry, despairingly. "Looks like it, " Phil admitted, grimly. "But anyhow, we're not goingto be kept in suspense long, for he's sending a couple of fellows thisway; and it must be they mean to take us out. " Larry drew a long breath, and slipped down from his perch, looking verypale. CHAPTER XXII PHIL SHOOTS HIS BOLT--AND LOSES! The door of the shanty opened presently, and the two squatters stoodthere. "Yer tuh kim out, kids; McGee wants yuh!" said one of the pair ofbrawny shingle-makers beckoning with his finger. Phil was eagerly scanning their faces. He wanted to know whether histheory of the actual conditions existing in the squatter village mightbe founded on facts. And from what he saw he believed that it was evenso. Both men looked anything but hostile, as they faced the prisoners. Indeed, unless Phil was very much mistaken, he could detect even agleam of friendliness in the countenance of the fellow who had spoken. "McGee's wife has spread the story among the women, " he thought; "andit has taken with them like wildfire. In turn they have talked withtheir men about the wonderful things that would happen, if they choseto change their ways of living, and accepted my father's offer to getsteady jobs, and land of their very own. But unless he falls in withthe scheme, it's all wasted. They just don't dare call their soulstheir own down here. And a mutiny is the last thing they'd ever thinkof starting. Still, when a woman makes up her mind, sometimes she'llfind a way to do things. " In this fashion then he tried to bolster up his slipping courage, as hefell in behind the two men, and marched out of the shanty prison. Larry trotted along in the rear; for Phil purposely refrained fromslipping his arm in that of his chum; wishing to make it appear thatLarry at least was innocent of wrongdoing, and should not be made tosuffer. Had the other boy dreamed that this was his reason for preceding him hewould never have allowed it; but so many things were knocking atLarry's brain door he just could not grasp the situation fully, andbelieved that Phil might have for the minute forgotten all about him. There was a hush as the two boys came into view. Every eye seemed tobe turned toward them; and Phil felt positive that the entirepopulation of Swamptown must be congregated there in the center of theplace--men, women and children, down to the babes in arms. A motley crowd they seemed; and yet not a hostile one, he believed, ashe swept a hungry glance around--an anxious look, born of extremity. The men in the main looked rather hangdog, as though ashamed of thepart they must play in the affair, because of their domination by thesavage McGee giant. As for the slatternly women, Phil really believedhe could see lines of worry on many faces; as if they feared that thebest chance that had ever come their way were fated to be cast aside, just through the obstinacy of one man, and he the McGee. The younger element alone appeared to look upon the occasion as apicnic especially arranged for their benefit. They grinned, and nudgedeach other, and seemed ready to back the leader up in any desperateplan he might see fit to carry out. McGee stood there, with his arms folded across his massive chest. Ashe drew closer to the giant Phil wondered after all whether he mightnot have injured his cause by thus setting the balance of the campagainst the man who had been leader all these years, by virtue of hisbrute strength, and his commanding ways. McGee looked at him with a black scowl on his heavy face. His wife andTony were near by, both of them white-faced and anxious; as thoughfearful lest after all the man's natural obstinacy was about to bringruin upon their newborn hopes. Phil stood directly in front of the big man. He tried to meet hispiercing gaze frankly and steadily, yet not arouse his passion furtherby a display of bravado. As for Larry, he kept as near his chum as possible, listening, andhoping for good news, yet fearing the worst. Every time his eyes weredrawn toward the twin stakes, against his will as it seemed, he wouldshudder, and shut his teeth hard together, as though sufferingdreadfully. Yet Larry was inwardly determined not to show the whitefeather if he could help it. "Younker, " said McGee, in his deep voice that seemed so in keeping withhis tremendous physique; "yuh admits as how yer the boy uh Doc. Lancing, don't yuh?" "Why, yes, " Phil replied, as pleasantly as he could, yet with firmness. "I told you right in the start that was a fact; and also why I hadchosen to voyage down this river instead of choosing the Suwanee. Itwas to meet you, McGee; to shake hands with you; and let you see aletter my father had given to me. I told you I came in peace, and witha white flag of truce; I said my father wanted to be the friend ofevery man, woman and child on these lands; and was ready to enter intoa contract with you all, binding himself to almost your own terms. That's why I'm here, McGee. That's why I made no attempt to run whenyou and your men came. I expected that you would treat me just asmessengers are always treated in war times, when they come under thewhite flag of truce. " "An' yuh sped me tuh believe all thet?" demanded the giant. "I hoped you would, McGee, " replied Phil. "We helped your boy Tonybefore we even knew that he was a McGee; and after we found it out, itmade us like him all the more. My father wants you to be his friend, to enter into a new arrangement that will mean plenty of money for youall, and homes that the law can never take away from you. It means thehighest wages paid in the lumber business to every man willing to workwith him. He wants to develop this country, and knows he can only doit with your help. McGee, here is my father's letter! Won't you haveit read out loud, so everybody can hear what a fine man Doctor Lancingreally is?" McGee gingerly accepted the missive Phil took from an inner pocket. His face was still as black as a thundercloud. He had heard the lowmurmurs of approval that sprang from the lips of some of those near by, possibly the women, who were not quite as much in fear of the lord ofthe squatter camp as the men. And it angered McGee to think that hisauthority was questioned in the least. "Yuh knows right well, younker, as how I cain't read!" he declared. "Then let some one else read it out--perhaps your wife?" suggestedPhil, eagerly. The giant looked toward his wife, and she even started toward him, onlytoo anxious to accept the opportunity; but with a sneer on his face hewaved her back. "Not on yer life, Molly, " he snapped. "I knows wot yuh ben talkin''bout lately. Yuh wudn't stop at deceivin' yuh husband one minit. Noryuh either, Tony. Yuh gotter eatin' the bread uh Doc. Lancing on boardthet gimcrack boat, an' ain't tuh be depended on. " He looked around, and then beckoned to an old, decrepit fellow, whomPhil realized must be the "medicine man" of the colony, Daddy Mixer. "Kim hyar, Daddy, " said McGee, with a curt nod; and the old fellowhastened to obey, only too eager to find favor in the sight of theruler. "Take this hyar paper, an' look her over. Tell me wot hit sez, d'ye mind, an' on'y that, if yuh know wots good foh yuh, Daddy. " The wizened-up specimen of an ague-shaken squatter took the letter in ahand that trembled; and his eyes eagerly passed over the same. It wasfortunately done on a typewriter, so that the sentences were as clearas print; and at the end was signed the name of Doctor Gideon Lancing. "Kin yuh read it?" demanded McGee, grimly. "I a'ready done it, " replied the old man; who had possibly long yearsago been given the chance for a schooling. "An' does hit state jest wot the younker sed?" went on the giant; whilePhil and Larry and all within hearing hung on his words. "It does jest that, McGee. It tells as how the writer he wants terhold out the olive branch o' peace to the settlers on his lands. Hegoes on to say as how he offers every fambly an acre, or as much moreas they wants, for ther really own, the deed to the same to bedelivered over to 'em without a cent o' charge!" A murmuring sound of approval went up from the listeners. But all eyeswere glued on the figure of McGee, whom they knew full well held theirdestinies in the hollow of his hand. "Thet all?" demanded the giant, grimly. "No, not quite, McGee, " replied Daddy Mixer, hastily and pathetically. "He sez as how he wants to develop this country into a lumber region, and must have the help of the McGees. So he promises to pay wages ashigh as any in the State, and give full work every day in the year toevery man or boy willing to enter his employ. And he winds up bysaying he's gwine to come down here right soon hisself, to meetyou-all, and fix up things just to suit everybody!" Some one started to shout. It was an unfortunate move, for instantlythe black look on the heavy face of McGee grew more gloomy. He raisedhis hand. "Stop thet!" he roared, furiously. "Yuh pore fools, d'ye believe allthis lyin' stuff thet Doc. Lancing has writ, jest tuh pull the woolover our eyes? It cain't be did! He's sure got sum slick trick up hissleeve. These younkers hes been sent down tuh find out all 'bout us;an' the sojers'll be along on ther heels tuh clar us out! I ain'tgwine tuh take up wid no sech trash as thet. We gotter show Doc. Lancing we don't keer a mite foh his white flag. This hyah's his boy. Now we gat him weuns is bound tuh send him away wid the nicest coat o'tar an' feathers yuh ever heard tell on. That's my answer tuh Doc. Lancing, an' it goes, yuh hyah, men!" Larry uttered a loud groan; and it seemed as though others among thelisteners felt as down-spirited as did the Northern lad, to judge fromthe sighs around. But right then and there, in the midst of all the tense excitement, there suddenly rang out a shot; followed by a scream from the lips ofTony McGee, who was seen darting forward to where a fluttering objectlay struggling on the ground. CHAPTER XXIII THE "WINGED MESSENGER "Oh! what was that? Who shot?" cried Larry, clutching his chum by thearm. Phil pointed to a small boy who was trying to sneak away, carrying anold musket about half again as long as himself. He had possibly takenadvantage of the excitement to steal his elder brother's gun; andcasting about for some object upon which to exercise his ambitiousmarksmanship, had sighted a hovering bird, which had instantly fallento his fire. "But what makes Tony act like that?" demanded Larry. Phil had divined the wonderful truth, even as his chum made his inquiry. "It must have been one of his homing pigeons!" he exclaimed; "perhapsthe one that he expected to bring him news from up-river way, about thegirl in the hospital!" "Oh! I wonder could that be so?" ejaculated Larry; and the two of themstood there, watching and waiting for they hardly knew what, only thatinto Phil's heart there seemed to have suddenly leaped a new and wildhope. They saw Tony lift the little feathered messenger, and stroke itsfeathers, as he looked angrily around for the guilty youngster, who wasalready hiding behind one of the shanties. "Look and see if it has a message from Tom Badger!" called Phil, himself quivering with eagerness and suspense. Tony evidently had not thought of this at first, in his anger at havingone of his precious pets slaughtered so ruthlessly. He sent a quickcomprehending look toward his new chums, and instantly turned hisattention again to the pigeon. Immediately Phil saw him draw some small object from the bundle ofcrumpled feathers, which he began to unroll with great haste. "It's a note from above, " declared Phil, talking to himself, thoughLarry was listening with both ears to what he said. "The message hascome, and just in the nick of time to save us from a mighty unpleasantexperience. I hope it holds good news for Tony and his mother. " "It does--it must, Phil!" cried Larry. "Just look at Tony dancingaround, would you? Oh! he's read something that's taken his voiceaway, you know! He can't even say anything; but see how his facetalks! Phil, what d'ye think it can be?" "Good news must mean the operation has taken place, and that it hasbeen a success!" replied his chum, trying to master the tremor in hisown voice, and hardly succeeding very well. "And can't you see justwhat that must mean for us, Larry, old fellow? Bring it here, Tony!Let us see what you have found!" and he beckoned to the boy whilesaying this. But Tony made first of all for his mother, who was standing there withclasped hands, in an agony betwixt doubt and hope. No sooner though, had her eager eyes devoured the contents of the tiny paper, than shefell to sobbing hysterically; but every one could see that it was joyand not grief that had caused this flow of tears from an overchargedheart. She started toward McGee, holding out the bit of thin paperappealingly. McGee had been observing these several happenings withthe same dark scowl on his brow; but he seemed to understand that newshad come from the child who was so dear to him on account of herinfirmity. "Give hit tuh Daddy, an' let hin read hit!" he spoke up, as though evenin that supreme moment something of the old doubt concerning his familyremained. Gladly did the woman turn to the shambling old man who came forwardagain. And as he bent over the tiny scrap of paper, as thoughendeavoring to make out what the writing on it meant, every soundceased until the silence of death seemed to hover over that scene. "Read hit out loud, Daddy!" commanded McGee, himself hardly able torestrain his own impatience. "Operation a complete success! Child will soon see as well as any one!Shall bring her home myself tomorrow, and restore her to a mother'sarms. "DOCTOR GIDEON LANCING!" Hardly had the last word been uttered than it seemed as though atempest had suddenly descended upon that quiet little settlement in themidst of the cypress swamps. Every throat joined in the terrific shoutthat burst forth. Women threw their arms around one another; whilerough men went about shaking hands, and wiping suspicious moisture fromtheir sun-burned cheeks. Phil and Larry whooped with the rest. "It's all right, Larry!" cried the former, as he wrung his chum's handwith the vehemence of enthusiastic youth. "That's the last straw thatbreaks the camel's back! Even a McGee can't hold out against thatevidence of friendship! Hurrah for my dad; and hurrah for us! But Isay, Larry, it's lucky that poor little pigeon found its way home whenit did, or we might have been turned into birds ourselves. " Even Larry could afford to laugh now at the heretofore gruesomeoutlook. As for Tony, he acted like one possessed; for he ran from hismother to his new chums, and back again; still gripping the lifelessform of the little winged messenger, as though he hardly knew what hewas doing. McGee had gone over to his wife, and taken her in his arms. Theglorious news from above had done more to break down his iron naturethan all other things combined; nor was Phil very much amazed to seehow tenderly he soothed the mother of his children. Then the big man strode over toward the spot where they stood; whileevery one watched curiously to see what he would do, for never yet hada man of them ever seen the mighty McGee bend the knee to any one. "Gimme yuh hand, younker, " he said, humbly enough. "I war all wrong, an' I admits hit right now an' hyah. Yuh dad he's jest a trump; an'w'en he kims tuh weuns' camp, thar ain't gwine tuh be a king welcomedmore heartily'n he'll be. An' Tony boy, don't yuh do nawthin' tuh thetchile as shooted yuh bird, d'ye hyah? Ef 'twa'nt foh thet, jest seewot I'd a-done tuh the son o' the man as hes brought light tuh theblessed eyes o' our leetle Madge. " Again the shouts broke out. The entire settlement was mad with joy. Women got together and talked of the wonderful things that were goingto come to pass when this benefactor fulfilled his promises, and theirhomes became a positive fact, with their men working every day at bigwages, and a new life possessing the entire community. Relieved from a terrible strain Phil and Larry began to take aninterest in the many things connected with the squatter settlement. McGee, having thrown off his gloomy condition in the light of the happynews, showed that he was a keensighted man. He talked business withPhil in a way that quite pleased the boy; who felt positive that hisfather would find in this leading spirit of the swamp country just theable lieutenant he wanted, in order to make a big success of the newundertaking. Of course the motor boat was soon brought down from its station above. Tony and his father accompanied the two voyagers up to get it; andMcGee manifested considerable interest in the working of the smartlittle craft. And then when on the third day there arrived a boat containing half adozen persons, imagine the great joy when that good mother folded toher heart the form of the little child she had sent from her side withsuch great misgivings. Of course Phil pounced on his father, the genial physician whose nameas an oculist had long since become famous throughout the East. And asrapidly as he could, ably assisted by Larry, he poured out thewonderful story of their cruise, which had been brought to such adramatic conclusion. McGee was not long in welcoming Doctor Lancing, and in a day the twomen seemed to understand each other thoroughly. Plans for the futurewere soon under way; and after several days spent among his neighbors, as the doctor termed those who were no longer squatters, since eachfamily owned a tract of land besides that upon which their cabin wasbuilt, he again turned his face toward the north. It might be well to say right here that things began to boom from thatday; and at present the community where McGee still holds sway is aprosperous town, with happy homes, in which the comforts of life may befound, as well as a few of the luxuries. Little Madge did positivelyrecover her sight, the bandages being removed before the departure ofthe great oculist. Tony went down with Phil and Larry to the gulf, and spent a couple ofmonths in their company that he would never forget. Later on he wasgiven a chance to attend school, and one dream of his mother's heartwas realized. And Larry, too, learned many a useful lesson during that time, whichwould be apt to help him climb the ladder as an ambitious Boy Scout, once he found himself back in his home city. Pete had turned up before they left for the gulf; and being suppliedwith more funds by Doctor Lancing kept on his way. Later on they heardfrom him in Mobile, where his family had joined him; and neither of thetwo Dixie Chums ever found reason to regret that they had helped himevade the "dawgs" of the vindictive Southern sheriff. THE END.