Seeing that their captor was not to be fooled with any longer, the
prisoners did as they were commanded, and soon they were standing in
nothing but their underclothes. They suspected now the purpose of this
move, and their hearts filled with rage.

"There, that's better," the captain commented. "I'm glad to see that
ye're so obedient. It has saved yez from a great deal of trouble at
present. But before we go on with our interestin' proceedin's, I want
yez to go down there by the water. Git along with yez," he continued,
as the men hesitated. "Don't worry about yer clothes; they'll be all
right. My, yez do look fine. Too bad there isn't a picnic of some
kind here this mornin'. But, then, I guess that'll come later."

When the men had obeyed his orders, and were standing close to the edge
of the water, the captain moved about the edge of the rock, closely
followed by Rod. He kept his eyes fixed upon the robbers, and then
ordered the boy to gather up the clothes and carry them up among the
trees. Seeing what was being done, the cornered men once more gave
vent to their feelings.

"Talk all yez like now," the captain remarked, as he sat down upon a
drift-log. "It'd be a pity to spoil yer enjoyment, seein' that soon ye
won't be able to talk so free."

By this time Rod had placed the clothes in a safe place and, coming
back, sat down by the captain's side.

"Did ye bring the guns with ye?" the latter asked.

"Yes, here they are," and Rod held up two revolvers. "I found them in
the pockets, and thought it best to bring them with me."

"Ye did right, lad," and the captain took one in his hand. "Fine
weapon, that, and loaded up to the muzzle. Wouldn't yez like to have
it, eh?" and he held it out to the captives. "Too bad, isn't it, that
I've got to keep it? But this toy isn't safe fer every one to handle,
so I'll look after both myself."

By this time the fog had begun to lift from the face of the water, and
in the distance the outline of the shore of the mainland could be
faintly discerned. Then houses and hills came into view. The sun had
already started forth on its daily course, and was now swinging over
the tops of the pointed pines which lined the upper end of the island.
The fog gradually disappeared, fading away in soft filmy wreaths. Not
a breath of wind stirred the surface of the water. The captain often
turned his eyes down stream for some sign of the boat from the city.
Why were the