t now, an' git a start. I done feels dat much better
sense I gets a squar' meal dat I kin keep a movin' 'long all right
smart de rest ob de night."

"Then perhaps you had better be getting along now, Pete," said Phil.
"You see, we can't tell but what the posse might happen on us any time;
and the further you're away when that comes to pass, the better. Shake
hands with me, Pete. And don't forget that we believe you when you say
you're meaning to walk a straight line after this."

The astonished fugitive had tears running down his thin cheeks when he
felt the warm hearty clasp of Phil Lancing's hand. Nor was Larry going
to be left out.

"Shake with me too, Pete," he said, thrusting his chubby hand out. "I
haven't said much, but to everything my chum remarked I'm on. And I
cooked that grub, Pete. Good luck to you! I hope you've had your
lesson, and it's never again for yours."

"Now we'll turn our backs, while you disappear, Pete; so none of us can
see you go," said Phil, suiting the action to his words.

"God bress youse, honey, bofe ob youse!" the man muttered, brokenly.

They heard a movement, a shuffling sound; then presently all became
silent once more, and laughingly the boys turned around.

"It's gone!" declared Larry, pretending to be greatly surprised. "Some
miserable thief has come, and swiped a lot of our grub! Just think of
the colossal nerve of the thing, would you, Phil?"

"Let's go to sleep again," was the only remark of the other, as he
started to fasten down the bottom of the curtains.

"But suppose the sheriff drops in on us?" remarked Larry, who looked
forward to such a possibility with a little of dread.

"Let him come," chuckled Phil. "You can tell him how we had a package
of food taken. He'll understand then what his dogs have found, when
they strike the scent of Pete. But I expect that the fellow will find
plenty of ways for killing his trail between now and morning. He's got
a new lease of life, Pete has; and mark my words, no sheriff's posse is
ever going to overhaul him from this on."

So saying Phil began to make himself comfortable again. Larry
proceeded to fix his own bed afresh; and when he pronounced himself
ready his chum put out the lantern.

In all, not more than half an hour had elapsed since Phil felt that
first touch from the swamp boy; and yet how much had happened in that
short time. The Northern voyagers had passed through a new and novel
experience; an