llis made. He also thought her
cries would be heard on the shore. He had found what he wanted. He
had no idea of being caught on the houseboat. But he had spied
Eleanor's caramel cake on the table. He would take that and be off in
a hurry.

As he grabbed Eleanor's cake, the product of her morning's work and the
chief ornament of their tea party, Eleanor opened her eyes. The sight
was more than she could bear. She gave a heart-rending scream. It
added to the tramp's alarm. He made for the shore as fast as he could
run.

Phil saw him start. She ran back of the kitchen and caught up
something that lay coiled in a heap on the deck. As the thief ran down
the gang plank and leaped on the land, it flew through the air with a
hissing, swinging noise. The youth fell face downward, his arms close
to his sides, letting the beloved cake drop to the ground.

Not for nothing had Miss Phyllis Alden seen Miss Jenny Ann rescued from
a wild bull by means of a lasso. Not for nothing had she spent hours
of her time, and one of her few dollars, in acquiring the skill
necessary to the swinging of a lariat. She now had her enemy held
fast. At the same instant that Phil caught her prey, before he had
time to jerk away, she knotted her rope about the cleat that held the
anchor.

On the shore, the youth tugged and strained. He ran back into the
water. It struck him that he might climb aboard the boat again. But
his arms were caught down at his sides. It was impossible for him to
get at a knife to cut the ropes. He could ease off the noose with his
teeth, but it would be a slow process of escape.

As soon as Phil had her victim fast, she rushed back into the sitting
room. She found Eleanor on her feet, engaged in untying the
handkerchief from Lillian's face and cutting the twine that was bound
about her swollen wrists.

"I've caught the enemy and he is ours," declared Phil cheerfully. "I
have him tied to the side of the boat. I can't say how long it may
take him to get away, and he may climb back on the boat and try to eat
us up. But, at least, we can get ready for him."

The robber was doggedly working at the rope that bound him. "I am
going to get back at you," he yelled savagely.

"Oh, why doesn't some one come?" cried Eleanor. "I am so afraid he'll
get away."

There was a cheerful whistle at the top of the embankment. It turned
to one of horrified amazement as the artist, Theodore Brown, took in
the sit