n,
who apparently was unaware of the interest his presence on board the
Black Growler had aroused.

"I haven't any idea."

"How did he know about that bond?"

"I can't tell you."

"Do you suppose he stole it?"

"It doesn't seem so to me," said Fred slowly, as he shook his head. "If
he stole it I can't understand why he comes down here after it. You
would think he would want to put a long distance between himself and
that bond after he lost it."

"And yet he seemed bold enough when he told us to tell him where it is.
What do you suppose made him think of that?"

"Think of what?"

"Why, that we had put it somewhere."

"It's the most natural thing in the world," retorted Fred glibly. "He
would know that fellows like us wouldn't want to keep a bond of that
size. I am wondering what it all means."

"First thing you know that man will jump on us all and take the Black
Growler away from us. I tell you he's a desperate character. Just look
at those hands. If he had his coat off I tell you you would see the
muscles of his shoulders stand out like great knots. He's a powerful
brute and I don't like his disposition. I wish he was somewhere else."

"I guess he wouldn't attack us," laughed Fred. "We're four to one and
even if he's stronger than any one of us he's not as strong as all four
of us put together."

"I tell you," said John more positively, "he's a pirate. He's a regular
pirate. He stole that bond and tried to take the motor-boat away from
us when we were on the canal and I shall feel mighty well satisfied if
he doesn't get it away from us now before we go very much farther."

"I confess it's all mighty queer, John, but I don't believe the man
will attack us. He has got too many matters just now to look after to
try such a fool thing as that."

"But I can't understand why he forces himself on board and why he
insists on going with us down the river. I shouldn't be surprised to
have him stop us when we are in some quiet place and search the boat.
How does he know that the bond isn't here?"

"Because he has searched the Black Growler already," replied Fred. "You
may be sure he has gone through every nook and cranny before we came
back from the bank."

"I guess you're right," assented John, as once more he glanced
apprehensively at the man who was the subject of their conversation.

"I don't know of but one way to get even with him," suggested Fred.

"What's that?"

"Why, to set Soc on him and make h