Part 26 (1/2)

”You're just the lads I'm looking for. Your friends are lying in yonder mill. They went over the dam in their canoes this morning at daybreak.

”I happened to see them and saved their lives. They were pretty near drowned, but I managed to bring them around all right. They ain't able to walk yet, so they asked me to go up the creek and hunt you fellows.

Come right along and I'll take you to them.”

Was Mr. Dude Moxley's brain muddled that he should have inserted such a gross error in his otherwise plausible little story? Perhaps he did not have time to plan it thoroughly in his hasty advance from the mill, or had calculated on finding his new victims at any other place than this.

Frightened as the boys were they noted the discrepancy, and it opened their eyes to the seriousness of the situation. ”If our friends went over the dam this morning,” asked Clay with a touch of scorn, pointing to the canoes and the tent, ”how do these come to be here?”

CHAPTER XXII

AN INSOLENT DEMAND

A dangerous glitter in the man's eyes showed that Clay's question was not at all to his liking.

”How them canoes got here is none of your business,” he answered emphatically, ”and I don't want no argument about it. Step lively now in the direction of that mill.”

The mask was off, and the boys realized that they were prisoners. Their captor's sullen features and the gun that he bore on his shoulder forbade any attempt at escape.

With sinking hearts they trudged along the sh.o.r.e a few feet in advance of the ruffian. They had no doubt that their companions were confined in the mill, and it was some consolation to know they were going to join them. Why they had been captured at all, and what object was to be gained by it was a mystery too deep for comprehension.

From time to time the tramp uttered a brief order, and in this way he drove the boys before him, across the sluiceway, and then over the rickety floor of the mill to the lower corner. He unbolted the closet door and shoved them roughly in.

It was not by any means a joyful reunion for the Jolly Rovers, but they were very glad to be together again nevertheless. A crevice in the door admitted some light to the closet, and at the same time afforded a view of Mr. Moxley, who was then sitting on the sawdust heap, examining the contents of his grain bag.

He drew out two dead chickens, half a dozen ears of corn, and a quant.i.ty of apples and pears--a sure proof that he had secretly been plundering some farmer. He began to munch one of the apples, and the boys took advantage of the opportunity to narrate their adventures in low, whispered tones.

When all had been told the mystery was no nearer solution than before--in fact it was even more complex.

”I can't imagine why this fellow has gone to such trouble and risk to capture us all,” said Ned. ”I hardly think he will do any harm. We must wait patiently and see what happens.”

”I can't understand that warning Nugget and I received,” added Clay. ”I hope the man will keep his word and help us out of this sc.r.a.pe.”

”I wouldn't count on that,” replied Ned; ”and yet there may be more in it than we suppose.”

”Hus.h.!.+” whispered Randy with his eyes to the crevice. ”Here comes the tramp.”

Moxley rose and approached the closet. He partially opened the door, and then walked back a few paces behind one of the logs.

”Now step out, you chaps,” he commanded sternly. ”I have a little business to attend to, and I want it done quietly.”

The boys tremblingly obeyed, and when they were grouped before the door the ruffian added, ”Now go through your pockets and lay everything you have on this log. See that you don't keep anything back.”

It was hard to submit to this audacious robbery, but there was no alternative. Moxley had the gun in his hands.

The boys deposited all they had about them on the log--watches, money, keys, fis.h.i.+ng tackle, and handkerchiefs. The fellow made them turn every pocket inside out, and when he was satisfied that all were empty he appropriated the money, watches, and keys. The other articles he contemptuously rejected, and allowed the boys to take them back.

Then he drove his prisoners into the closet and bolted the door--much to their surprise and consternation, for they had confidently expected to be turned loose.