the McGee.
P'raps Tony might help keep yuh from bein' whipped, er tarred an'
feathered."

"Good gracious!" ejaculated poor Larry, as he heard these fearful words
drop from the lips of the other; "you don't mean to say he'd think of
treating a couple of innocent, harmless kids like that, Tony? But then
Phil has a winning way about him; and I'm ready to bank on him to bring
your awful dad around."

"How about those pigeons, Tony; do you still believe one of them can
get back home, and bring the news your friend expects to send, after
the operation has been finished, one way or the other?"

Phil said this for two reasons. He really wanted to know what Tony
thought; and at the same time wished to change the conversation; for
Larry was apt to dwell upon that ugly black possibility of their
feeling the weight of the McGee's violent temper, even though they did
not merit the punishment in the least.

"I think they come home," Tony declared steadily. "They fly strong
lots times. Of course I never try far 'way, more'n ten mile. Let go
then, and always back in coop when I get home. Yep, sure one come with
message. Hope it soon, 'case then McGee he mebbe feel not so mad, an'
p'raps leave Phil go on down river."

Always was he thinking of his new companions. It gave Phil a strange
sensation in the region of his heart to realize how dear he and Larry
must have become to this wild son of the swamp, in the brief time he
had known them. And on their part, they too felt the keenest interest
in Tony McGee and his fortunes.

The hour grew late.

Once in a while some sound would be borne to their ears from the
quarter where as they knew by this time the settlement of the
shingle-makers lay. The night wind was soft and low, but it carried
whispers on its wings. Clouds still covered the heavens, and Phil
fancied that they might yet have rain, though there was really no sign
of one of those cold storms that periodically come chasing down from
the north in winter time, and are termed "Northers" by the shivering
crackers.

Larry was beginning to yawn. He did not really want to go to bed as
long as the others were up; but tired nature was getting the best of
his good intentions. And besides, he had gone through quite a little
stress while trying so furiously to climb that rope, so that his
muscles were actually sore, though he refrained from telling his chum
so, not wishing to be considered in the tenderfoot class any lo