t replace the gag, and after this had been done
the boys wrapped themselves in their blankets, lying down in the
softest spot they could find.

"How are we ever goin' to get the best of them fellers?" Jim whispered
when they were ready to go to sleep.

"I don't know; but we must cook up some kind of a plan."

"Don't you think it would be better to send for the officers, an' let
them do the job?"

"I'm afraid the fellows will make another move before anybody could get
here. You heard what Sam said, and it shows he is so discontented that
he'll be insisting on breaking camp very soon, unless he turns his back
on this place entirely."

"That's all right enough; but at the same time I don't see that we can
do anything without somebody to help us," Jim said, with a sigh, and
then he rolled over as if determined not to rack his brain with the
perplexing subject any longer.

Neither of the boys slept very soundly on this night. The fact of the
prisoner in their midst, and the problem which they must solve shortly,
prevented that feeling of restfulness which is necessary for profound
slumber.

The sun had not yet risen when Jet awakened, shook Jim into
consciousness, and made his toilet in the tiny stream which wound its
way through the camp.

"We'll feed the prisoner the first thing, and then keep watch of the
island," Jet proposed, and this task was performed as quickly as
possible, neither captive nor jailors indulging in conversation during
the operation.

There was to be no cooking, and the boys carried as much food as they
thought would afford them a hearty meal to the edge of the water, they
crouching behind the bushes with their gaze centered on the spot where
they knew the camp to be located.

"Have you thought of anything?" Jim asked, while they were eating the
not very palatable meal.

Jet shook his head despairingly.

Half an hour passed, and neither spoke.

Then both started as if electrified, for they saw both the men
approaching the shore of the island nearest the main land.

"They heard us last night, and are comin' over here to see who has
come," Jim whispered, his face growing pale.

It certainly looked as if he had guessed correctly, and Jet drew his
revolver.

The men were carrying the boat between them, and on reaching the water
launched it.

The distance was not so great but that a conversation carried on in an
ordinary tone could be distinguished from one shore to the other, and