saw with a thrill that once
the leader of the crowd seemed to pause, as if to dispute with his men
as to what their next best course might be.

"Oh, do hurry, Phil!" cried the watching lad, as he jumped up from his
seat, and going ashore, started to unfasten the cable that held the
motor boat to a tree.

"In a minute or two, Chum Larry!" sang out; the other. "What's your
haste? Upon my word, I never knew you to act like that before.
Generally you're the last one to want to rush things. See here, was it
the visit of those fellows that upset you, Larry?"

"Yes, yes," answered the other, with a voice that actually trembled
with anxiety; "that Colonel Brashears is such a fierce fire-eater, and
he cracked that awful whip just like he itched to lay it on the bare
back of that poor little chap. Let's get out of this before they can
come back. Why, they might even want to search our boat, you know!"

"Oh! I guess there's no danger of that," laughed Phil. "Anyway, you
can see that they've gone into the woods again."

"And headed down-stream; notice that, Phil," went on the stout boy,
nervously. "Say, I'm going to unfasten the rope now, and let her swing
off on the current. It will give us a start, you know, and make me
feel easier."

"All right, let her slip," answered the engineer; "I'm just about ready
to turn the engine, and get power on her. Come aboard, Larry. We're
off!"

Phil waved his hat, and gave a little cheer as the Aurora began to move
through the dark water of the stream, with her nose pointing due south.
The merry popping of her unmuffled exhaust told that the engine was
busily at work, even if turned on at part speed.

When he saw the shore slipping rapidly by Larry seemed to breathe
easier. Still, he kept his gaze fastened upon the woods, as though not
quite sure that the posse might not unexpectedly heave in sight again,
with a new demand.

For a short time there was silence aboard the rapidly speeding boat.
Phil busied himself with his engine, watching its performance with more
or less satisfaction; for his heart was set on mechanics, and he
anticipated great things of the motor he had put into his boat before
sending her south for this especial trip.

Larry on the other hand never once turned to look at the shore along
the larboard quarter; that which he knew sheltered the seven burly boy
hunters claimed all his attention.

"I wonder will they find the poor little chap?" Phil finall