ned
nearly out of his senses. "I'm only a Road Ranger-- I mean a sea-- That
is, I'm only a boy, and the others left me behind, and I got scared, and
was looking for them. But I'll go right back, if you'll only let me go."

"So there are others, are there?" remarked the stranger, at the same
time keeping a tight hold of Cal's arm. "Who are they? and where are
they?"

"Only boys, sir, like me, and we're camping out, and waiting for Captain
Crotty to come for us, and we've drunk up all our water, and are 'most
out of everything to eat, so we thought, perhaps, you--"

"Where is your camp?" interrupted the stranger.

"Right back here a little way."

"Then come along and show it to me."

So Cal and the stranger started toward the tent, and the hidden Rangers
crept after them to see what was to be done with their youngest member;
only Cracker Bob Jones sped swiftly away in the direction taken by Will
and Hal to notify them that the camp was discovered, and bring them back
to its defence in case the new-comers should prove aggressive.

As Will and Hal were moving slowly, and with all the caution of scouts
approaching an enemy's camp, Cracker Bob overtook them before they
reached the point toward which they were making their way; and, on
learning of the new turn of affairs, they hastily retraced their steps.

By this time daylight was appearing, and when the Ranger scouts neared
their camp they saw the other boys gathered about a strange man, who did
not appear either ferocious or inclined to enmity. In fact, they were
all chatting and laughing in the most friendly manner.

As the three late comers approached, the stranger stepped forward, and
extending his hand said, "So this is Captain Will Rogers is it? I am
happy to meet you, my lad, and glad that I am in a position to offer you
some assistance out of your present difficulty. My name is Bangwell,
Zenas Bangwell, at your service, and I am the owner of this island,
having recently purchased it. I am about to erect a summer residence
here, and have just run over from Newport in my yacht _Whisper_, for the
purpose of selecting a building site, getting acquainted with the
harbor, and so forth. The season being so well advanced, I have got to
hurry things, and took advantage of the calmness of the night to strip
my yacht of her interior fittings, and fetch them ashore, as I intend to
bring over my lumber and supplies in her. Now I am about to return to
Newport, which is,