their faces. He wanted to know whether his
theory of the actual conditions existing in the squatter village might
be founded on facts. And from what he saw he believed that it was even
so.

Both men looked anything but hostile, as they faced the prisoners.
Indeed, unless Phil was very much mistaken, he could detect even a
gleam of friendliness in the countenance of the fellow who had spoken.

"McGee's wife has spread the story among the women," he thought; "and
it has taken with them like wildfire. In turn they have talked with
their men about the wonderful things that would happen, if they chose
to change their ways of living, and accepted my father's offer to get
steady jobs, and land of their very own. But unless he falls in with
the scheme, it's all wasted. They just don't dare call their souls
their own down here. And a mutiny is the last thing they'd ever think
of starting. Still, when a woman makes up her mind, sometimes she'll
find a way to do things."

In this fashion then he tried to bolster up his slipping courage, as he
fell in behind the two men, and marched out of the shanty prison.
Larry trotted along in the rear; for Phil purposely refrained from
slipping his arm in that of his chum; wishing to make it appear that
Larry at least was innocent of wrongdoing, and should not be made to
suffer.

Had the other boy dreamed that this was his reason for preceding him he
would never have allowed it; but so many things were knocking at
Larry's brain door he just could not grasp the situation fully, and
believed that Phil might have for the minute forgotten all about him.

There was a hush as the two boys came into view. Every eye seemed to
be turned toward them; and Phil felt positive that the entire
population of Swamptown must be congregated there in the center of the
place--men, women and children, down to the babes in arms.

A motley crowd they seemed; and yet not a hostile one, he believed, as
he swept a hungry glance around--an anxious look, born of extremity.

The men in the main looked rather hangdog, as though ashamed of the
part they must play in the affair, because of their domination by the
savage McGee giant. As for the slatternly women, Phil really believed
he could see lines of worry on many faces; as if they feared that the
best chance that had ever come their way were fated to be cast aside,
just through the obstinacy of one man, and he the McGee.

The younger element alone appea