; and
immediately they understood that the intended spoiler of their
breakfast must be a negro. "I ain't 'tendin' tuh run away, 'deed I
ain't, sah. I gives mahself up. I ain't eben gut a knife 'long with
me!"

"Josh!" said Jack, quietly.

"Yes, I'm on deck, all right; what is it?" replied the tall boy, close
by.

"You fixed some stuff for starting a fire in a hurry, didn't you?"
continued Jack.

"Sure I did; and it's right here beside me," Josh hastened to reply.

"Then strike a match, and let's have some light. We'll look this coon
over, and see whether we want to take him down to Franklin City with us
tomorrow, or give him some grub and let him go scot free."

Jack was looked upon as a leader by his chums, and when he received
these instructions Josh never hesitated a second about starting to
carry them out to the letter.

Scratch went his match, which he always kept handy, being the
recognized _chef_ of the expedition. Then the light wood flamed up,
communicated with other stuff, and in a "jiffy," as Josh called it, the
scene was illuminated.

Meanwhile Jack had climbed out from among the folds of his blanket,
always keeping his shotgun leveled in the direction of the crouching
figure of the detected marauder of their stores.

He found a badly frightened negro, rather a young fellow, and as black
as tar. The whites of his eyes looked staring as he followed the
movements of that threatening gun, every time Jack moved.

"Come, get up here, and step nearer the fire," said Jack. "When we
have company we always like to entertain them in proper style. Now,
sit down here, and give an account of yourself. What's your name, to
start with?"

George had come tumbling out of the depths of the _Wireless_, aroused
by the sound of voices, although Jack had not been talking in an
excited way. Herb, Jimmy and Josh were all on hand, with blankets
wrapped about them; for the night air was a bit keen, and they had on
only their underclothing and pajamas.

But Nick could be heard snoring away contentedly in his snug nest, dead
to the world and all its cares. Nor did any one think to take the
trouble to arouse the fat boy, so that he calmly slept through the
entire proceedings.

"I'se Jawge Washington Thomas; an' I libs back dar in de kentry at er
place called Pokomoke City, sah," the prowler promptly answered, as
though he realized that since he had now fallen into the hands of these
young fellows, he might