rother. "If I
try to get in there with only this board I'll hit the rocks sure."

"They are taking chances, even with oars," was Sam's comment. "See,
they have struck some rocks!"

He was right, and the Rovers saw the boat ahead spin around and the
two men leap to their feet in alarm. But then the craft steadied
itself, and a moment later shot into the shadows of the trees beside
the old flour mill.

It was not until five minutes later that Dick was able to guide their
own rowboat to the shore upon which the mill was located. They hit
several rocks, but at last came in where there was a sandy stretch.
All leaped out, and the craft was hauled up to a point out of the
current's reach.

"Now to get back to the mill as soon as possible, and corner those
fellows if we can," said Tom, and without delay the three Rover boys
started through the woods in the direction of the spot where the two
men had landed.

CHAPTER V

AT THE OLD MILL

The Henderson mill was now largely so only in name. So far back as the
Rover boys could remember, it had been a tenantless structure going
slowly to decay. The water wheel was gone, and so were the grinding
stones, and the roof and sides were full of holes. Henderson, the
owner, had years ago fallen heir to a fortune, and had moved away,
leaving the building at the mercy of the tramps who frequently stopped
there.

It was no easy matter to climb around or over the rocks which lay
between the boys and the old mill, and the darkness under the thick
trees was intense. They felt their way along slowly, and Tom was
careful to carry the shotgun with the barrel pointed downward, that
there might be no accident.

"More than likely those fellows have been putting up at the old mill,"
said Dick.

"They'll leave now--if they think we are coming," answered Sam.

"Let us keep quiet," put in Tom. "If they hear us talking they will
surely skip out."

After that but little was said. Foot by foot they drew closer to the
dilapidated structure, until it loomed up dimly before them. Then Dick
motioned for the others to halt.

With bated breath the boys listened. At first they heard little but
the rushing of the water over the rocks. Then came a sudden cracking
of a rotten floor board, followed by an exclamation.

"Confound the luck! I've put my foot through the floor again," growled
a man's voice. "Shelley, why don't you light the lantern? Do you want
me to break my neck?"

"If I ligh