"We have rights----" came from Asa Lemm.

"I've listened to you before. I'm not going to listen again!"
interrupted the old lumberman. "You haven't any right on this island,
and I'm ordering you--every one of you--to get off just as soon as you
can. You're trespassers--nothing else!" and now he raised his gun as if
getting ready to shoot.

"Come on, let us go back!" cried Professor Lemm in sudden terror, and he
retreated several steps, followed by Slugger and Nappy.

"See here, Stevenson, you'll be sorry for this some day," growled
Slogwell Brown. He had still too much of the fight left in him to
retreat, and yet he was not brave enough to advance.

"I'll take my chances!" returned Uncle Barney. "I've got those deeds,
and I know they are all O. K. Now, you clear out--and don't you dare to
come here again!"

"Why won't you let me see those deeds?" questioned the other man.

"Because I won't--that's why!"

"I came on purpose to look them over and show you your mistake."

"Maybe he hasn't got any deeds," came from Nappy, who had fallen back
still further.

"I've got those deeds safe and sound--in a box--and put away where you
fellows can't find 'em!" answered the old lumberman triumphantly. "Now
you get out! I'll give you just five minutes to do it in. Jack, you time
'em, will you?" and he glanced at the oldest Rover boy.

"Sure, I will!" was the ready reply, and Jack pulled out his watch.
"It's now exactly twelve minutes past four."

"All right. Then you've got until seventeen minutes after four to get
off of this island," announced Barney Stevenson to the visitors. "If you
are not off by that time, there'll most likely be some shooting around
here."

He had taken his place in front of his cabin, and all of the boys were
now ranged beside him. As each was armed, they made quite a formidable
looking firing squad.

Much against his will, Slogwell Brown retreated to where Professor Lemm
and the others of the crowd stood. The four talked matters over in a low
tone.

"It's too bad we came here unarmed," grumbled Slogwell Brown.

"That's just what I say, Dad!" answered his son. "Let's go back and get
some guns and pistols."

"No! no! We don't want any shooting!" cried Asa Lemm in new alarm.

"I'm not going to get mixed up in any gun-play," added Nappy.

"If we could only get possession of those deeds!" went on the former
teacher of Colby Hall.

"I've got a plan," suggested Nappy, after a moment's pau