m brought in so
cleverly. The firm shall be Harvey & Co., for a boy who can do so much
single handed will be an ornament to the force even though he isn't
larger than a pint of cider."

"I had Jim to help me," Jet replied modestly.

"Who is Jim?"

"A boy I met up at the village, and promised twenty dollars if we
succeeded."

"But I haven't earned it," Jim cried, "I was mightily frightened, an'
would have run home long ago if you'd let me."

"The money has been earned," Harvey said as he took a roll of bills
from his pocket, "and I'll add ten on my own account."

The small guide looked in bewilderment at the thirty dollars, and then
broke into a dance which was quite as vigorous if not so skillful as
Jet's performances with the minstrel company.

"How did it happen you got here in the nick of time?" Jet asked after
Jim had ceased his contortions.

"When I received your letter telling me you were coming into the woods
it was enough to show you would want assistance. I never thought for a
moment you'd be able to bag the whole gang, but only counted on saving
them from cutting your throat. Not being well enough to walk very
handily I brought a couple of friends along, and now we've got force
enough to take our men back."

"How did you happen to find me?"

"We heard at the village that a couple of boys, one a stranger, had
come this way, and we started on chances. Last night we camped this
side of the first carry, and was striking for the upper lake when the
reports of your weapon gave us a clew. It was easy to tell that the
shots were not fired by hunters, and we rounded up your friend Sam on
general principles."

While this conversation was being carried on Harvey's companions
released the prisoners from the bonds which had been put on by the
boys, and shackled them in much more secure and less painful fashion.

Then Jim remembered that none of his party had breakfasted, and he
cooked the remainder of the provisions at once, when all hands joined
in the meal.

Harvey had already examined Jet's wound, and pronounced it a trifling
one, more painful than dangerous.

The ball was extracted, the arm bandaged properly, and fastened in a
sling, the detective saying, when the work was finished:

"You'll come around all right in a week or two with care, and that I'll
guarantee you shall have in abundance."

It was not yet noon when the party were ready to leave Round Pond.
Harvey and the boys traveled in