ppens."

A few swift, silent strokes carried them up the creek to the edge of the
bushes that surrounded the Sweepstakes, and then the oars were drawn in,
and the crew forced the jolly-boat ahead by pulling at the bushes and
reeds. When she came alongside the schooner the lieutenant drew himself
up and looked over the rail. The deck was deserted; neither the robbers
nor the Crusoe men were in sight.

"Perhaps they are below," said Jackson. "We will go on board and make a
rush for the cabin. If they are down there, and we can shut the door on
them, we'll have them safe enough."

The boat's crew clambered over the rail and moved across the deck with
noiseless steps. They had nearly reached the companion-way, and Jackson
was in the act of reaching out his hand to close the door, when, as if
by magic, two figures appeared at the head of the ladder, and a brace of
revolvers were leveled full at their heads.

"Don't move hand or foot," said a gruff voice.

The students stood as if petrified.

CHAPTER XX.

A CHAPTER OF INCIDENTS.

While the robbers were lamenting the loss of their money, and vowing
vengeance against the Crusoe men, they had determined upon a course of
action, which promised, before long, to turn Sam Barton's triumph into
defeat. They saw through his plan very easily. They knew that it was not
his intention to remain long away from his vessel. They would search the
woods along the bank of the creek, and, if they failed to find him, they
would conceal themselves, and when he returned on board the schooner at
night, they would punish him and his men in a way they had not thought
of. They would tie them hand and foot, and turn the Sweepstakes adrift.
The current of the creek would carry her out into the bay, where she
would soon be discovered, and taken in charge by some of her pursuers.
If Sam had told the truth about his exploits, he might be deprived of
his liberty for a year or two; and that, the robbers thought, would be
ample revenge for the temporary loss of their money. When they saw the
jolly-boat approaching, they concealed themselves behind the rail to
observe her movements. The success of their plans now depended upon the
course her commanding officer might see fit to pursue. If he came on
board the schooner, so that they could capture him, and prevent him from
returning to his friends with a report of the discovery he had made,
every thing would be well with them; but if he went back