Part 12 (1/2)

”Dan Baxter!” exclaimed Songbird, recognizing that voice. ”Is it possible! I thought you died in the swamp!”

”Hang the luck!” muttered the former bully of Putnam Hall. ”I didn't want them to know I was here.”

By this time the two boys had had their hands tied behind them. Then they were allowed to rise.

”Don't you make a noise, if you value your lives,” came from another of the men, and to their surprise they saw that it was Sack Todd, one of the head counterfeiters of Red Rock ranch and the only man who had escaped from the authorities at the time the noted gang was rounded up. How slick an individual this chap was those who have read ”The Rover Boys on the Plains” already know.

The boys now saw that the fourth person who had attacked them and made them prisoners was the carpenter Solly Jackson. The fellow took small part in the proceedings and was apparently under the thumb of Gasper Pold.

”What is the meaning of this outrage?” asked Songbird.

”You'll find out quick enough,” answered Dan Baxter, with a chuckle.

”So you thought I perished in the swamp, eh? Ha! ha! I thought I'd fool you!”

”Did you get away with Sack Todd?” asked Fred.

”Not exactly--but we soon met--after that fight was over--and here we are, to fix you for interfering with our business,” went on the big bully.

”Look here, Baxter, we can't stop to talk now,” broke in Gasper Pold.

”Those other fellows will be back soon. We've got to make the best possible use of our time.”

”Tie 'em to the trees,” said Sack Todd. ”Quick now, and then we'll be off. You say you can run the launch?” he asked, turning to the former bully of Putnam Hall.

”Sure I can--used to do that sort of thing at home, years ago,”

replied Dan Baxter.

Without ceremony Fred and Songbird were tied fast to two trees near by, the ropes being pa.s.sed from their wrists directly around each tree. Then the men and Baxter departed, taking with them several heavy bundles which they had been carrying.

”That stuff they have must be from the houseboat,” said Fred, when he and Songbird were left alone in the forest. ”They are going to run off with it on the launch!”

”I reckon you are right.” Songbird gave a groan. ”Gos.h.!.+ they tied my wrists together so tightly the blood won't circulate!”

”They are first-cla.s.s rascals, and Dan Baxter is as bad as any of them,” was the answer. ”Isn't it strange that he should escape from that swamp, and after losing his horse, too!”

After that the two prisoners listened intently and soon heard the putt-putt of the gasoline launch, as the power was turned on. Gradually the sound grew fainter and fainter.

”They are off!” sighed Fred. ”Perhaps now we'll never see the launch again!”

”This will make Harold Bird angry, Fred. First his pet dog and now his new launch. He'll want to land those rascals in jail just as much as we do.”

Half an hour went by--the young prisoners thought it must be four times that long,--and still n.o.body came near them. Each tried to free himself from his bonds, but without avail. Fred cut one wrist and Songbird sc.r.a.ped off the skin and that was all.

”It's no use,” sighed the would-be poet. ”We'll have to stay here till the others get back.”

”What fools we were to be deceived into thinking one of our party was in trouble! I thought that cry for help didn't seem just right.

We walked right into the trap.”

”I was afraid--My gracious me! Look!”