good, but they could see a sort of phosphorescent
glow on the water, where some object was struggling for the opposite
bank.

Bluff half leveled his gun, when Frank shoved it aside.

"You wouldn't want to kill him, even if he is a desperate case. I guess
he got little or nothing. Let him go. The sheriff will be along after him
soon," he said.

"But what is that trailing after him, Frank?" echoed Will.

"Where?" demanded the other quickly.

"Why, look right there! And whatever it is, it's catching up with him
fast, too! I believe it must be an alligator!" exclaimed Will.

"I had a glimpse of a big fellow hovering under the boat at dusk. I think
he was after the refuse we threw over. Would he hurt a swimmer?" asked
Bluff.

"I don't know. I wouldn't want to try his appetite, that's all. Could you
give the beast a shot without hitting the man, Bluff?" asked Frank
eagerly.

"Why, yes; for at this short distance the shot won't scatter much."

As he spoke Bluff took quick aim. He was only too glad to be able to make
use of his gun in so good a cause. The thief might be all they painted
him, and yet he was a white man, and a minister's son in the bargain, the
sheriff had said.

With the heavy report there was a combination of sounds. The man in the
water gave a yell, as though he fancied the shot had been aimed at him. A
short distance away, the water was being threshed wildly by some unwieldy
object.

"I hit him all right!" shouted the excited marksman.

Some vigorous language came floating across from where the man was now
dragging himself out of the river.

"Say, Bob Young! You didn't think we shot at you, did you? There was a
big 'gator after you, and he'd got you, too, only for that shot. Better
make yourself scarce around these regions. The sheriff is after you, with
dogs and a posse."

Frank called this out after the fleeing shadowy figure that was just
halting on the edge of the bank opposite.

"Thanks!" came in a hoarse voice, followed by a reckless laugh. "But
he'll find it a hard job to corner me, you bet!"

That was the last they ever saw of Bob Young. In the morning, sure
enough, the baying of a hound was heard, and presently along came the
sheriff with his two dogs and the grim deputies.

"Mornin', boys! Reckon yuh may 'a' seen sumpin o' my man this heah time,
as he's sure been close tuh yuh!" he called out while still some distance
off.

"Yes. He tried to rob us last night, and jumped ove