lot that we don't want 'em to know. So's long as we kin get out o'
here alive, we'd better take him along."

"He spoiled our plans to-night. He deserves to be knocked on the
head an' thrown out to the 'gators!"

"Spoilt our plans, you bet! But he'll get his, by-and-by. Come,
take him and hustle away. Cripes! hear them bullets smashin' into
the wall!"

"Remember, kid," said Mole, "if you shout or let out a word, we'll
stick a knife between yer slats."

From the fierce way in which Mole uttered this threat, Hugh did not
doubt he would do as he said. However, he did not yield without
a silent struggle, though he was soon overpowered by the two burly
ruffians. Each taking him by an arm, they led him outside and
dragged him over a stretch of bumpy ground, stumbling along in the
semi-darkness.

Scarcely five minutes after they left the hut and the two burning
shanties behind them, Hugh's friends burst into the empty cabin---too
late to rescue him.

But these young, well-trained scouts lost no time in searching the
place. Separating into pairs---Norton and Mark, Alec and Chester,
with Billy and Dave in advance, following Durgan's and Mole's
trail---they formed a line of communication between the cabin and
the site of the bonfire, hoping that by thus keeping a picket line
they might catch sight of Hugh or his captors beating a hasty
retreat toward the shore.

Meanwhile, Durgan and Mole with Hugh between them walked very fast
indeed. Had they not supported Hugh, he should have fallen several
times; for, young and strong as he was, he was almost worn out with
the rough treatment he had undergone. Every minute he thought they
would stop, and, making an end of their senseless threats, release
him and run. But they evidently had no intention of doing so.

Hugh tried to ascertain in what direction they were leading him,
but he soon gave this up as useless. He was on the verge of despair,
when suddenly out of the gloom came a startlingly familiar call---the
call of the Wolf patrol.

"_Wow-ow-ooo-oooo-hoo-Hugh!_"

It sounded not far away, on his left, and the lad's heart bounded
with joy. He knew that that call could come from none other than
Billy Worth, and Billy must therefore be near at hand, ready to lead
his comrades to Hugh's rescue.

For one wild moment he was tempted to answer the call---then discretion
prevailed, and he kept silence.

Naturally, the two men also were startled at the sound. Mole