his--casting suspicious glances all the
while at the tent--they went back to the boat, climbed in, and paddled
swiftly down the creek.

Ned rose to his feet, and looked after them in amazement. As the boat
vanished around the sharp curve that the creek made immediately below
the camp, he noticed for the first time a bait box trailing on behind.

"I understand it now," he muttered. "Those fellows are out for a fishing
trip, and they're going down to the rocks to set their lines. I hope
they won't get into a row with Clay and Nugget."

The possibility of such a thing made Ned uneasy. He stood in perplexity
for a moment or two, and had just made up his mind to go down and look
after the boys, when the sound of loud, angry voices reached his
hearing.

He hesitated no longer, but leaped down the slope and ran at full speed
along the beach. Bursting through a covert of reeds and tall bushes, he
emerged within a few yards of the rocks.

On the outermost bowlder, close to the swirling current, were Nugget,
Clay, and the two strangers. The flat was drawn out on shore.

As Ned put foot on the nearest rock the taller of the strange lads
struck Nugget violently on the arm with a paddle. Clay immediately hit
the cowardly fellow in the breast, and in the struggle that followed the
latter lost his balance and rolled backward into the swift current. His
companion pounced on Clay, and they came down together on the rock,
while Nugget stood by, holding his injured arm and shouting for help.

Ned took in the situation at a glance. He saw that the lad in the water
was a poor swimmer, and could make no headway against the current.
Without stopping to count the cost he threw off his coat, and ran to the
edge of the bowlder.

"Bring the boat quick!" he shouted to Clay and his assailant, who had
fallen apart and were glaring wrathfully at each other.

Then Ned put his arms together and dived head first into the foaming
water. He came to the surface half a dozen yards below, and struck out
vigorously for the struggling lad, who was by this time on the point of
exhaustion.

Ned was an admirable swimmer, and absolutely fearless in the water.

"Keep cool, and don't struggle," he shouted, as he reached the fellow
and put on hand on his collar.

The other had sense enough to obey, and both floated down stream
together.

It was out of the question for Ned to reach the shore immediately with
his heavy burden, and as Clay and the other