y's guard for a clinch, so that Hal Hastings could
finish the work of successful attack. Dan, fighting with the fury and
strategy of desperation, kept them both off fairly well.

While the opposing forces were so occupied there came down a path out
of the woods, behind the tree against which Jaggers was backed, a third
boy. About sixteen years old he appeared to be. He wore patched
overalls, a frayed flannel shirt and a much-used straw hat of the field
variety. His hair, once brown, had many streaks of reddish tint in it,
from long exposure to the sun. His face was brick-red from the same
cause. His rather large hands looked rough enough from hard labor. But
he had frank, laughing eyes and a homely, honest look. Moreover, he
had the air of one who could be swiftly alert.

All this Jack Benson noted as soon as he caught sight of the newcomer.

"Hullo, there!" called Jack, pausing. "This fellow is a thief, and
we're trying to get him to town. Help us to get him, will you?"

"Want me to look behind me, an' then ye'll jump me, hey?" leered Dan
Jaggers. "That won't work."

The newcomer grinned broadly, then shot forward. Ere Jaggers could
change his mind he felt himself clasped from behind, a pair of strong
hands joined over his windpipe, his body thus bound securely to the
tree.

"He--help!" sputtered the victim of this attack.

"We're bringing it to you," laughed Jack, leaping forward. In a
twinkling, now, the three boys had Dan Jaggers down, and held so closely
that he could not stir. Benson produced another length of cord, and Dan
had to submit to having his wrists lashed, this time in most workmanlike
manner.

"Thank you, ever so much," acknowledged Jack, looking up at the new boy.

"Oh, you're welcome," laughed the young stranger. "I know Dan Jaggers,
and I'm willing to believe anything against him."

"I'll live to get square with ye for this, one o' these days, Eph
Somers!" growled the captive.

"Oh, take your time about it, Dan," laughed Eph, unconcernedly. "I'm
patient, you know, about such things. In fact, I come of a patient
family."

CHAPTER IX

THE SUBMARINE MAKES ITS BOW TO OLD OCEAN

"Which way were you headed when you happened along?" inquired Jack
Benson.

"Dunhaven way," responded Eph Somers.

"Good enough. That's where we're going, too."

"It's me for the submarine launching today," Eph remarked, rather
ungrammatically. "I wouldn't miss that for the world."