with' that other launch coming after
us. I don't know who you are and I reckon you don't know me and my
bosom pard here. But let me tell you one thing. It won't be healthy for
you to tell anybody that me and my pard are on board here, understand?"

"You are hiding away from somebody?" asked Baxter, quickly.

"I reckon that's the plain United States of it. If you say a word it
will go mighty hard with you," and the Kentuckian tapped his revolver.

"You can trust us," replied Baxter, promptly. "Tell me what you want
done and I'll agree to do it."

"You will?" The Kentuckian eyed him more closely than ever. "Say, you
can't play any game on me,--I'm too old for it."

"I shan't play any game on you. Just say what you want done and I'll
help you all I can--providing that launch takes us down the river as
quick as it can."

"Ha! Maybe you want to get away, too, eh?"

"I want to get down the river, yes. Perhaps I'll tell you more,--after I
am certain I can trust you," added Baxter, significantly.

"Good enough, I'll go you. If that other launch comes up, tell 'em
anything but that you have strangers on board, or that you have seen
us."

"I will."

"If you play us foul--"

"I shan't play you foul, so don't worry."

By this time the second launch was coming up through the mist and the
two men from Kentucky retired to the cabin of the houseboat. In the
meantime the first launch had tied fast to the _Dora_ and was beginning
to tow the houseboat down the stream.

"Boat, ahoy, there!" was the call.

"Ahoy!" answered the man on the first launch.

"Got any passengers on board?"

"No."

"What's your tow?"

"A houseboat."

"Who is on board?"

"I don't know exactly. What do you want to know for?"

"We are looking for a couple of horse thieves who ran away from Kepples
about two hours ago."

"I haven't seen anything of any horse thieves."

The second launch now came up to the houseboat. As may be surmised Dan
Baxter and Lew Flapp had listened to the talk with keen interest.

"Those chaps are horse thieves," muttered Flapp.

"Yes,--but don't open your mouth, Flapp," answered the leader of the
evil-doers.

"Houseboat, ahoy!" was the call.

"Hullo, the launch," answered Baxter.

"Seen anything of any strangers within the past two hours?"

"Strangers?" repeated Baxter. "Yes, I did."

"Where?"

"About a mile back. Two men in a small sailboat, beating up the
river."

"How were they dressed?"

"In ra