rrendered himself a
prisoner at once. But the captain of the Crusoe band had a great many
reasons for not wishing to be taken prisoner. In the first place, he was
pretty well known in that country, and he was afraid that the farmer
might recognize in him the son of the richest man in Newport; and, even
if he did not, he would know that Tom had come from the village, and he
would, of course, take him back there in the morning. Then what would
become of him? What would his father do? and what would Johnny Harding,
and the rest of the fellows, have to say about it? Above all, what would
become of the expedition, and the plan he had laid for destroying the
Storm King? His capture would put an end to all the bright dreams in
which he had indulged during the past two weeks, and he would once more
find himself an errand-boy in his father's office, deprived of every
privilege, watched more closely than ever, and teased and tormented by
his thoughtless acquaintances, who would never allow him a moment's
peace. Tom thought of all these things, and he was surprised at himself
when he found that he was fighting for his liberty with a courage and
determination he had never supposed himself to possess. He kicked and
thrashed about at an astonishing rate, and finding that his efforts were
wholly in vain, he tried to frighten his captor by threatening him with
a terrible vengeance if he did not immediately release him.

"What do you mean?" roared Tom, striving desperately to unclasp the
strong fingers that were holding fast to his collar. "Let me up, or I'll
give you cause to remember this night's work as long as you live. Let me
up, I say."

"Well, I swan!" exclaimed the farmer, peering down into Tom's face, "I
thought you made a poor fight for a man." Then hearing footsteps behind
him, he looked up, and called out to some one who was approaching--"I
say, Josh, they're only little brats of boys; they aint men at all. I
wish I had a good apple-tree switch."

"O, now, you wouldn't use it on me if you had one," drawled Tom.

"Wouldn't! I'd like to know what's the reason?"

"Because you wouldn't dare do it. I always get even with any one who
imposes on me, so you had better mind what you are about."

"I don't want any insolence now, for I aint in just the mood to stand
it. If you and your crowd are the same fellows who have been prowling
around here for the last week, you have stolen more than twenty dollars
worth of garden truck. G