was something so
jovial and harmless about Reade that, despite their recent anxiety
concerning him, they made no effort to duck him.

"The water is fine this morning," called Tom presently, as they
all swam about.

"Then why didn't you stay in?" demanded Darry rather cuttingly.

"Say, I'm beginning to feel glad that I waited breakfast for the
swim," Reade announced.

"Stick to the truth!" mocked Dick.

"But I really am beginning to feel that a little exercise is the
best course before breakfast," Tom declared.

"The next thing we hear," scoffed Hazy, "you'll be telling us
that you really don't want any breakfast."

"I'll tell you fellows what I'll do," Tom called. "I'll agree
to put off eating until noon if you'll all stick to the idea."

But that suggestion did not prove popular.

"I mean it," Reade insisted. "I hardly care, now, whether I eat
any breakfast or not."

"What's that noise below? Come on!" called Prescott, landing
and running along the bank. Tom was close behind him, the others
following.

In their search for Tom they had gotten farther away from the
wagon than they realized. During their brief absence from the
spot two tramps had come upon the camp wagon and the piles of
discarded clothing. It was plain that the wagon contained all
that was needed for several meals---and the tramps were hungry.

Yet the only safe way to enjoy that food would be to partake of
it at a safe distance from the rightful owners.

For that reason, after a few whispered words, the tramps hastily
gathered up all the clothing of the high school swimmers, dumping
it in the wagon. Then they mounted to the seat.

Just as Dick Prescott and his chums broke from cover they beheld
the tramps in the act of driving from the woods out on the road.

Once in the road the tramps urged the horse to a gallop. It was
out of the question for the boys, clad as they were in only swimming
trunks to pursue the thieves.

"I---I---take back all I said about not wanting any breakfast!"
gasped Tom Reade, turning to his dismayed chums.

CHAPTER VII

MAKING THE TRAMPS SQUIRM

"You come back here!" screamed Danny Grin desperately.

"Haven't time now," called one of the tramps jeeringly, while
his companion laid the whip over the startled horse.

With such a start as the tramps had they might be able to drive
a mile ere the running boys could overtake them.

Besides, both law and custom forbade six boys clad only i