wcomers were
Dublin, Rae and Monkey.

CHAPTER XI.

AT THE MERCY OF THE PEST.

"Sorry ye'r not in receivin' costume, but that won't make no difference.
We got off down to the mouth of the creek when the steamer went down and
started to walk up when we met these Siwash comin' down with the boat, and
concluded it was just what we needed. We held 'em up, and finally
persuaded them to pole us back up. They wouldn't talk much at first, but
finally told us what ye were doin' up here. We intended to git here at
night and su'prise ye a little, but when we stopped at the bend just below
we saw the other fellers pushin' up stream, and concluded to come right on
and su'prise ye this afternoon. Rae, you and Monkey herd them Injuns into
that shack over there, and let Monkey stand watch on them. Then you come
back here and we'll take care of these young Scouts."

"What are you doing up here?" asked Rand. "What do you want of us?"

"Well, we're after part of the outfit you brought in here, for we're goin'
on down the Yukon prospectin'. Then I think there's some of that machinery
you brought in that Colonel Snow would pay pretty heavy to git back, and
we'll annex some of that."

"Yes," snarled Rae, who had returned, "and first thing we'll put you two
where you won't bother for a while. I'll git some rope," and so saying, he
turned toward the tent and soon returned with some cord.

"Look here, Dublin," cried Jack. "Whatever you intend to do let us get on
some clothing, for these mosquitos and black flies are torturing us."

"Haw, haw," yelled Rae, "that won't do you any harm. Let's tie 'em up just
as they are and let the bugs chew on 'em."

"Why, man," protested Rand, "they would torture us to death in a few
hours. Do you want to murder us?"

"Oh, I ain't so pertikler," sneered Rae. "You fellers have made us trouble
enough around Creston, and ye'll have to take yer chances."

"Here, cut that out, Rae," said Dublin, in whom, despite his criminal
instincts, there were still many elements of decency. "We're not here to
murder anybody. Git them some clothes."

With a growl, Rae limped away to the tent again, returning with two pairs
of pajamas, and despite the boys' complaint that these would prove but
little protection, they were compelled to don them. Their hands were then
bound, and they were then taken a short distance back into the woods,
where they were fastened to trees. Then the desperadoes went back and
began t