s, by description, if
by no other means, and they know we are after smugglers. That's why
they stopped the brining of goods from that vessel to shore. They
want to wait until we are gone."

"But we couldn't stop them from landing goods, even if they know we
are working for Uncle Sam," declared Tom.

"That's very true, but it is evidently their intention, not only to
land goods here, which they have a perfect right to do, but to send
them into the United States, which they have not a right to do
without paying the duty."

"Then you really think they are the smugglers?" asked Ned.

"I'm pretty sure of it. I think we have stumbled on one of the
places where the goods are landed, and where they are loaded into
the airships. This is the best luck we could have, and it more than
makes up for not catching the rascals last night. Now we know where
to get on their trail."

"If they don't change the place," observed Tom.

"Oh, of course, we've got to take that chance."

"Here's one of them coming over to speak to us, I guess," remarked
Tom in a low voice, as he observed the man, who had waved the flag
approaching. There was no doubt of his intention for, as soon as he
came within talking distance, the stranger called out:

"What are you fellows doing here?"

"Looking at the river," replied Mr. Whitford, calmly.

"Well, you'd better find some other place for a view. This is
private property, and we don't like trespassers. Get a move on--get
out!"

"Are we doing any harm?" asked the agent.

"I didn't say you were. This is our land, and we don't like
strangers snooping around. That's all."

"Particularly when you are going to land some goods."

"What do you mean?" gasped the man.

"I guess you know well enough," was Mr. Whitford's reply.

The man suddenly turned, and gave a shrill whistle. Instantly, from
the hut, came several men who had been in the motor boat. One or two
of them had weapons.

"I guess you'd better go now," said the first man sharply. "You're
not in the United States now, you know."

"It's easy to see that, by the POLITENESS of the residents of this
section," put in Tom.

"None of your back talk! Get away from here!" cried the man. "If you
don't go peaceably--"

"Oh, we're going," interposed Mr. Whitford calmly. "But that isn't
saying we won't come back. Come on, boys. We'll get over on Uncle
Sam's territory."

The group of men stood silently watching them, as they filed back
through t