e under
such peculiar conditions.

"A boy!" echoed Larry, some of the color leaving his face, and a look
of genuine concern taking its place.

"A mighty sassy and desp'rit critter at that," the colonel went on.
"One of that McGee tribe from down-river way. He's been loafin' 'round
town some days, I'm told, an' we're lucky not to have our homes robbed
o' everything wuth while. My Bob met him on the street a while back;
an' jest like boys, they had words that led to blows. The miserable
beggar actually had the nerve to lick my Bob; foh yuh see I reckon he's
just like a wildcat in a fight. When I seen the black eye and bloody
nose he give my Bob I jest natchally ached to lay it on him; and
organizin' a posse o' my neighbors, who has reason to hate them McGees
like cold pizen, we started out to lay hands on the cub an' tan his
hide black an' blue."

"But he managed to escape after all, you say?" asked Phil, who had some
difficulty in keeping a grin of satisfaction from showing on his face;
for the idea of these seven stalwart men chasing one puny little chap
was pretty close to ridiculous in his eyes.

"He was too slick foh us, I reckons, sah," the colonel went on,
snapping off the heads of a few wild flowers with the lash of his
constantly moving whip. "We done lost sight of him in the woods, and
thought as how possibly you mout aseen him thisaways. And so we turned
aside to ask you that question, sah."

Phil shook his head in the negative.

"I give you my word, Colonel Brashears, I haven't seen the least sign
of any boy for the last five hours," he said, positively, and with
truth. "I've been busy making a few changes in my engine here; and we
expect to start down the river inside of five minutes or so."

"Thet's all right, sah," returned the other, with a slight bow. "And
such bein' the case me and my posse had better be turnin' our attention
in another quarter. We're gwine tuh find that little scamp yet, and
tickle his hide foh him. When he goes back tuh his kind below, they'll
understand that weuns up-river don't tolerate thieves and brawlers in
ouh town. Good day, sah, and we sure hope you-all may have a pleasant
voyage; but we done warn yuh tuh look sharp when yuh gets nigh the
stampin' place o' the terrible McGee!"

The posse turned away, and went trooping back into the open woods.
Larry had listened to all that was being said with his mouth half open,
and a look of real concern on his face. He