but I lost that and the money. Then I went back, but they
had taken him away. I trailed him, though, and found him where I saw
Tom. Then I ran to meet you girls. I was afraid, too."

"You were brave, Harry," said Mr. Hammond.

"Was I?" asked the simple lad, well pleased.

Tom told more details of his imprisonment; how he heard sounds from an
adjoining cabin that would indicate some other unfortunate was held
there. He heard the men discussing his case, and planning to force him
to work in the morning.

Then had come the rescue.

Through the gathering morning light the _Gem_ proceeded on her way. Tom
was at the wheel, having been refreshed by coffee which Betty and Mollie
made aboard their craft.

A lookout was kept for any signs of a refugee on the way back to the
orange grove, but none was seen.

"He may be hiding in the swamp," said Mr. Hammond. "He may come out
after dark, and make his way to our place. I hope he does."

"I am going to look for him," said The Loon.

Poor fellow! In spite of his simple ways, he showed a devotion of which
one with a stronger mind might have been proud.

"Can't something be done for him?" asked Mr. Stonington, nodding in the
direction of Harry. "Ought not we to keep him with us?"

"It would be hard work," answered Mr. Hammond. "He is used to going and
coming as he pleases. He wanders all about this region. He is harmless."

Without further incident the orange grove was reached. Tom Osborne,
tired and worn out, received every attention, and was soon himself
again. Mr. Hammond communicated with the authorities regarding the men
of the camp, but little could be done. There were legal complications
hard to avoid.

"But, at any rate," said Mr. Stonington, "we have rescued Tom, and that
other young man has escaped."

"Perhaps to a worse fate," observed Mr. Hammond.

Days passed. The outdoor girls enjoyed their life in the orange grove,
but Grace fretted because no word came from her brother. He seemed to
have disappeared completely.

Following the receipt of a letter from her father, containing no news,
Grace was so gloomy that one day Betty proposed a ride in the launch.

"It will do you good," she said to Grace. "We will take our lunch again,
and----"

"Get trapped by alligators or snakes?" suggested Amy.

"No!" declared Mollie. "We'll take The Loon along, and he will look
after us," for Harry was back from one of his wanderings. He spent much
time away from the grov