laxed under the influence of the powerful
narcotic, the leader of the convicts removed his pipe from his mouth
with a sigh of relief.

"You sho' saved our lives that time, partner," he cried; "we done
forgot the bacca when we wus getting up our supplies, an' didn't find
it out until we'd come too far to go back. Jim thar," (with a glare at
the culprit,) "had a sizeable piece, but he had to go and lose it on
the way."

"Out for a hunt?" inquired the captain politely.

"'Gators. We're just plain, honest 'gator hunters, working powerful
hard for a mighty poor living," declared the ruffian. "An' you-alls, I
reckon one guess will hit it, arter plumes, I allow."

"We haven't said so," said Charley quickly.

The ruffian favored him with an appraising leer. "Don't have to say
so," he drawled, "if you ain't, what have you-alls got them dinky
little canoes for, an' if you were after 'gators you'd be packing big
rifles 'stead of them fancy guns. You ain't got no call to deny it,
for I was aiming to give you a bit of neighborly advice."

"What is it?" inquired Walter curiously.

"That it ain't no use for you-alls to stop here. The Injuns have got
this section combed out clean. You couldn't get enough plumes around
here to pay for your bacon. Now, I knows of a tidy little island 'bout
twelve miles south of here where there's stacks of the birds. If you
start right now you'll hit it before them pesky varmints of redskins
find it. I'm telling you in pay for that tobacco. Max Hilliard ain't
the kind of man to take nothing without paying for it," he concluded,
grandly.

"Them Indians don't seem to be bringing many plumes into town," said
the captain.

"'Cause why? 'Cause they have to turn the bulk of what they get over
to their chiefs for tribute, an' them varmints are getting so foxy they
just hoards 'em up. They know the price is goin' up right along. Oh,
them pesky varmints are getting cunning these days. But come, boys, we
must be getting back to camp."

The reinvigorated gang of cut-throats arose and with awkward, surly
thanks stamped away.

Their leader lingered behind for a moment. "Better pack right up and
get out for that island right now, partners," he advised. "Thar's a
gang of Injins coming down the river day after to-morrow, an' they'll
be sure to clean it out." His voice grew low and menacing. "Anyway,
you fellows want to get out of here afore day after to-morrow."

Before any of the hunt