d there was Black Pete hastening through the woods, and
through the swamps bound south, with hope once more filling his
troubled breast.

There was no further alarm during the remainder of that night, and the
boys were getting breakfast when Tony uttered an exclamation.

"Look! they are comin' down below! That is Barker at the head!" he
muttered.

"Drop down in the bottom of the boat, Tony," Phil hastened to say; for
it had all been arranged beforehand what their programme might be.

Larry jumped ashore to unfasten the cable, while his chum hastened to
pay attention to his motor, so as to get the power on without delay.

Some distance away they could see a party of men advancing. In front
trailed a pair of tawny hounds, straining at their leashes, and
evidently following some sort of trail.

A distant shout announced that these parties had discovered the boat;
but the boys at first paid no attention to the hail. It was only after
they had started from their late landing place that they pretended to
have discovered the coming file of men; and Phil answered their shouts
with a wave of his hat.

The sheriff was a typical Southerner. He wore a broad-brimmed hat; and
had on a long coat; which, being open in front disclosed the heavy
revolver which he carried next his hip.

Each one of his three companions had a gun of some sort. Possibly they
were the guards from the turpentine camp, searching for the fugitive
convict. Taken all in all the quartette of men presented a very fierce
appearance; and Phil felt relieved to know that poor Pete was not fated
to fall into their clutches. The fugitive had given them a heap of
trouble, and in case of capture could expect little mercy.

The sheriff stepped to the edge of the bank, and made motions as though
he wished the voyagers to come in; but Phil had no intention of doing
so. He really feared that the law officer might be tempted to carry
Tony off, just to get even with his father, the terrible McGee, whom he
did not dare face again.

Phil did reverse the engine, however, so that the Aurora might drift
slowly past the spot where the sheriff was standing. Plainly the other
desired to have a few words with those aboard.

"Hello! gents!" called the officer, with his hands forming a megaphone,
so that his voice might carry the more readily. "I'm the sheriff of
this heah county; and this is my posse. We's huntin' a desprit convict
that got loose from the camp a we