eplied, bravely,
for he was rapidly beginning to think that he and Jet could accomplish
anything they might attempt.

Then Jim set about cooking an elaborate dinner as a sort of
thanksgiving.

The fire was built inside the thicket between the two prisoners, so
that the boys might keep watch of both at the same time, and when the
food had been prepared Detective Harvey's assistants set themselves
down to enjoy it to the utmost.

Then it was necessary to feed the prisoners, a task which required
considerable time.

Jim attended to the stranger, while Jet fed Bob, and the latter said,
when his gag was removed:

"I reckon you're countin' on turnin' us over to the Albany officers."

"Yes, unless some one comes from New York."

"Ain't you the messenger boy I smuggled up on the boat?"

"Yes. I don't suppose you expected to see me again, eh?"

"I wish I'd done as Joe wanted me to. You could have been thrown over
that night, and no one would have been any the wiser."

"Lucky for me you didn't know as much as you do now."

"You can well say that," was the surly reply, and during the next five
minutes Bob paid strict attention to receiving the food which Jet held
to his lips.

"I wonder if it would be any use to try an' buy you off?" the fellow
said, half to himself, when the meal was finished.

"Not a bit; Joe tried that, but it wouldn't work."

"Are you the same boy who nabbed him?"

"Yes."

"It's hard, mighty hard, to be pulled by a cub like you," and Bob shook
his head mournfully. "A feller expects something of the kind from a
reg'lar officer, if it so be that he's put himself in the way of
trouble; but it comes tough to be downed by a couple of whiffletts I
could break all up with one hand."

"It does seem queer we should be able to do so much," Jet replied,
modestly, and then he added: "If you give me your word as a man that
not a word shall be spoken, and no noise made, I'll leave this gag out
until sunset, otherwise, it must go in again."

"I'll agree, because you've got me foul."

"Very well; but if I hear so much as a whisper it will go in your mouth
again, not to be taken out till the officers get here."

"I know when I'm licked," Bob growled, "an' don't need threats after I
can't help myself."

During the remainder of the afternoon the boys had nothing to do save
discuss the chances of taking Sam a prisoner, and when they were tired
of this Jet suggested that each take a nap.

"From thi