g lad before long. An' if I pull him through all right, don't you
boys forget your part of the bargain."

"We won't," assured Jerry.

"We'll stick to the compact," added Hamp.

Sparwick looked relieved.

Then he seized his prisoner, and lifted him rather roughly.

"Stand up, Raikes," he said. "An' no foolin', remember. We've got you in
a tight place, an' we're goin' ter keep you there. I reckon you'll hev
to postpone that little trip to New York."

CHAPTER XXVII.

THROUGH THE WOODS.

Raikes fixed his disheveled clothes, and pulled his cap down over his
forehead. Then he thrust his hands into his pockets, and stared
meaningly at Sparwick.

"What are you lookin' at me fur?" demanded Sparwick.

"I was just thinking what a big, lubberly fool you are," replied Raikes,
boldly. "Hold on--don't get riled. I want to talk to you for a minute or
two."

"Fire away," said Sparwick.

Raikes shook his head.

"No, not here. It must be a private conversation."

Sparwick hesitated, and a greedy look came into his eyes.

"No tricks," he replied, warningly, "or I'll smash your head."

He led his prisoner to a clump of bushes a dozen feet distant. Here they
conversed in low, eager tones for nearly a quarter of an hour.

Jerry and Hamp looked on with some curiosity and suspicion. They were
afraid that Raikes was coaxing Sparwick to turn traitor.

But the end of the palaver did not confirm this supposition. When the
men returned, their relations were evidently the same as before. Raikes
looked moody and downcast. Sparwick's impassive face told nothing. The
latter handed the two letters to Jerry.

"Put 'em in your pocket," he said, "an' take good care of them. We're
going to start right away."

"Where for?" Jerry asked.

"To rescue your pardner," was the reply. "I've got everything in shape.
This rascal here hes concluded ter help us out, an' I've promised he
shan't be prosecuted. He'll take us straight to Bogle an' the lad.
We're goin' to save Mr. Larkins a cool ten thousand dollars."

This glib speech quite banished any lingering suspicion that Jerry or
Hamp may have felt. They were highly elated by the news, and they helped
to pack up with alacrity. In a short time the little party was on the
march.

They headed straight back through the spruce woods. Raikes sullenly led
the way, and Sparwick followed at his heels with a loaded rifle. The
boys brou