d. Either Monkey had been given a jolt in his
last tumble that knocked the breath completely out of his body; or else
he was "playing 'possum" in order to deceive his pursuer.

Paul groped his way forward. The trees became more scattered, and what
seemed to be a small glade dawned upon his sight.

He had carefully noted the spot where the last sound was heard, and as
he strained his eyes now he was able to make out a crouching figure
within ten feet of him.

"Ted?" said a quavering voice, "is that you?"

Evidently Monkey was entertaining a little hope that after all it may
have been his comrade who had chased after him so persistently. Paul did
not reply, but moved swiftly forward. He saw the other make a move as
though about to try and resume his flight; but the young scout leader of
the Red Fox Patrol did not mean to let so fine a chance slip through his
fingers.

He made a quick spring that landed him on the fugitive. With all his
strength Paul threw him back to the ground.

"Got you, Monkey!" he exclaimed, triumphantly; "now you'll come back
with me to our camp, and explain what sort of meanness you were up to,
trying to burn us out!"

The boy underneath seemed to be so badly frightened that he could hardly
find his tongue to say a word. He had shown spirit enough when climbing
through those trees to enter the hostile camp; yet now that he was held
a prisoner his natural cowardice returned. But before Paul could drag
him to his feet there was an unexpected interruption to the little
affair.

"Hey, boys!" called a voice he recognized as belonging to Ted Slavin,
"get a move on you, and surround the wise guy. We've got him in a hole,
and it's twenty-three for yours, Paul Morrison! He aint goin' to crawl
out of this pickle, if we know it. Jump him, fellers!"

CHAPTER XV

LEFT IN THE LURCH

"You don't say so, Ted?" sang out Paul.

He knew that he was facing trouble, and that in an instant as it were,
the conditions had entirely changed. From being the pursuer he now found
himself with the shoe on the other foot. All the same, Paul was not at
all daunted. He had encountered these fellows too many times in the past
to fear them now.

It was a question whether Monkey had intentionally led him into a set
trap, or his coming upon the balance of the crowd might be looked on as
an accident. Paul, remembering how the other had called out, under the
impression that the one chasing after him might be his c