ves; but those exposed
roots, while not bothersome to the lumbermen, proved extremely so to the
men who were trying to make off with the motorcycles.

They dared not put on great speed. More than this, much of their time
was taken up with dodging the stones and other things that threatened to
bring sudden disaster upon them.

Hence it was that the boys, having considerable sprinting ability,
began to rapidly overhaul the fleeing rascals. The two men dared not
cast a single glance behind, and consequently the only means they had of
knowing how close their pursuers might be would lie in any shouts given
by Frank and his chums.

As he ran, the leading boy cast an occasional look alongside the path.
He was in search of a good stout cudgel. Knowing that the chances were
the affair would presently come to a face-to-face issue between the two
parties, he wished to be prepared as well as possible.

"Bully stunt!" exclaimed Jerry as he followed suit.

They were now drawing close upon the fugitives, who were having a
nerve-racking time dodging those numerous roots.

Knowing that the angry owners of the wheels must be close upon them, the
men endeavored to increase their speed, with disastrous results.

"Wow!" shouted Jerry, as he saw one of the riders suddenly shoot out of
his saddle and take a header, to be followed by his companion a second
later.

CHAPTER III

HOMEWARD BOUND, BY MOONLIGHT

"Jump 'em!" shouted Frank as he threw himself upon the first fellow,
floundering in the road.

"I'm on!" echoed Jerry, suiting the action to the words by propelling
himself straight at the second motorcycle thief.

This fellow happened to have come through his fall without getting hurt.
The consequence was, he felt disposed to put up a much better fight than
his confused companion, upon whose prostrate form Frank had straddled.

He rolled over once or twice with remarkable agility, causing Jerry to
miss his guess when he thought to drop on him. Then, scrambling to his
knees, the man, who turned out to be a rough-looking chap, indeed,
pulled something out of his pocket, which he aimed at the two boys about
to pounce upon him.

"Keep back, you!" he roared, his mouth being half filled with dirt after
he had plowed up the earth of the roadway with his face.

"He's got a pistol!" shrieked Will, who was fingering his camera
nervously from a point somewhat in the rear; and they immediately heard
the little suggestive clic