the first words spoken by the fellows caused the greatest relief.

"Now, don't fool your time away up there," Bob said, sharply, as Sam
took his seat in the boat and pushed her off.

"Why? Do you think this is such a pleasant place that I shouldn't lose
the opportunity to stay here as many hours as possible?"

"I think that if you once begin drinking you'll get full, and five
minutes afterward every loafer in the village will know we are hiding
here."

"You must allow I'm a fool."

"So I do, or you'd be willing to stay twenty-four hours longer without
liquor rather than run the first minute the bottle is empty."

"There would be jest as much risk to-morrow, as now, so what's the use
waitin' with our tongues hangin' out when plenty can be got by takin' a
short walk?"

"When shall I expect you?"

"Some time before mornin'. I'll start back within half an hour after I
land."

"If you do that there'll be little harm come to us," and Bob
disappeared amid the foliage while Sam rowed vigorously up the pond.

"There is no need of our trying to cook up a plan now," Jet whispered.

"Why?"

"Because it is all arranged. We must tackle Bob before Sam comes back."

Jim appeared thoroughly alarmed by his companion's bold statement.

He looked upon Bob as the most desperate of the three men, as really
was the case, and the idea of a struggle with him seemed alarming; but
yet he said nothing against the plan.

"What puzzles me is why they launched the boat on this side of the
island? They had to bring her way across."

"Perhaps they have seen some one on the opposite shore, and don't care
to let folks know where the boat started from."

"Do you suppose that fellow will call at our old camp?"

"I shouldn't be surprised; but it will be too late to do us any harm,
unless he comes directly back with the news that we have made a change
of base."

"You seem to think there isn't a question but we shall get the best of
that fellow."

"I didn't say anything of the kind. We shall either have him prisoner,
or be in the same fix ourselves in his camp by the time Sam gets back.
Bob will take good care we are not in condition to trouble him again,
if we fail this day."

"How are we to set about it?"

"In the same way as the other was taken. Trust to our chances of
finding him asleep, or so far from his gun that he can't get at it
until we have the drop on him."

"Don't you suppose he carries a revolver?"

"Of cou