lantern
straight into the captain's face.

Brittler stopped short, as if struck by lightning. His jaw dropped, and
a ludicrous look of alarm and bewilderment overspread his features.

"Take your hand off his mouth, Budge," ordered Jim, "and let him tell
the captain what's happened."

Thus adjured, Dolph spoke:

"I've been taken prisoner, Captain. They jumped on me in the dark and I
had a chance to fire only one shot. I think there's at least half a
dozen of 'em, and they've got both our revolvers, so we haven't a
chance. That's all there is to it."

Brittler had recovered from his first panic. He bristled up with
pretended indignation.

"What do you mean, whoever you are, by jumping on us this way? And take
that light off my face! I don't like it."

Spurting did not remove the steady ray from the features of the irate
captain. He waited a moment before replying.

"Captain Brittler," he said, "you and Dolph came to steal sheep, and it
isn't your fault that you haven't been able to do it. You thought there
was nobody on this island and that you could kill and take to suit
yourselves. You've been caught red-handed. By good rights you ought to
be turned over to the sheriff. We'll let you go this time, but if we
catch you here on such an errand again you'll have a chance to tell your
story before a jury."

"How'd you come to know my name?" blustered the captain. "I s'pose
you've been pumping that mealy-mouthed landlubber of a Dolph."

"Dolph hasn't said a word till he spoke to you just now. He couldn't. I
guess we understand each other, so you and he had better start for the
_Silicon_. You'll find your dory in the rockweed about fifty feet east
of the cove. I'll keep your revolvers a few days, and then mail them to
you at the Rockland post-office. You can get 'em there. Better go now!
Turn that man loose, Budge!"

Muttering vengeance, Dolph and the captain disappeared in the direction
of the Sly Hole. After giving them ample time to find the dory, the boys
quietly made their way to the north shore.

A boat with two men was visible, rowing out to the _Silicon_. As soon as
it reached its destination the schooner got under way and proceeded
eastward.

"I don't like the looks of that craft," said Spurling. "There's
something suspicious about her. Did you hear what Dolph said to the
captain about making money? They're engaged in some kind of smuggling,
or I'll eat my hat! But what it can be I haven't any idea. W