nd that's the very
reason I'm going with you, Ned. You know I'm going, that I wouldn't
miss going with you for the world and you haven't any right to ask
me to be a sneak and crawl out of the trouble, for it is trouble
and probably big trouble."

"Why, Dick, boy, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, and I'm sure
glad to have you with me, only you must let me manage when we find
those fellows."

"Of course you'll run the thing and I won't interfere, unless it
becomes mighty necessary, which is quite some likely."

As they got into the canoe Dick said:

"Don't you want the shotgun?"

"No. Got better weapons than that."

"Glad of it. You'll need 'em."

The boys paddled rapidly down the narrow river for several miles
before they came up to the men they were seeking, who were then just
getting out of the little skiff into a larger one which had a canvas
cover and was evidently used as a camp.

Dick guided the canoe beside the larger boat and Ned spoke quietly
to one of the men, who was scowling at him.

"You know what I have come for. I want my rifle."

"What rifle? I don't know anything about your rifle."

"I mean the rifle you stole from our camp this afternoon. I want it
and I'm going to have it."

"See here," said the man, who was purple with rage, as he picked up
a rifle, "I'll blow the top of your head off if you tell me I lie."

"You lie," said Ned calmly. "You are a liar, a thief and a coward.
Now give me that rifle. I am not going to ask you for it many more
times."

"I won't give it to you and I don't know what keeps me from blowing
your head off. I believe I will yet."

"I can tell you why you don't. Because you know there would be a
hundred men on your trail who would never leave it while you were
alive. Because you wouldn't dare show your face to man, woman or
child, white, black or red, in Lee County or anywhere else. Because
your own partner would be the first to give you up."

"He would, would he?"

"Yes, he would!" said the man referred to. "Don't be a fool, but
give the kid his gun, or I will."

The rifle was handed to Ned and the boys paddled back to their camp.
On the way Dick said:

"I was scared stiff, Ned, when that fellow took up his rifle and I
saw how mad he was. Weren't you a little bit frightened yourself?"

"Not then. I'm a good deal scared now to think of it."

As the boys that night sat leaning against a log which they had made
soft with masses of long gray moss, wa