or boat. And at their head came the bulky
figure of the giant leader.

Somehow, even in that minute of dreadful uncertainty, Phil was reminded
of what he had read about some Highland chief leading his tartan clan
to battle, a Rob Roy McGregor, it might be.

But he had to think quickly. Inside of a few minutes the squatters
would have arrived alongside the motor boat; and the boys must expect
to find themselves virtually prisoners of war; though they had come to
this region in Dixie without the slightest hostile intent.

What then?

Phil steadied himself for the great task that he knew awaited him. No
doubt he and Larry would be taken across the land to the squatter
settlement, so that the women and children might gaze upon them; for
something seemed to tell Phil that even now his identity might be known
to at least McGee.

"Come, let's light up our lanterns," he said, getting to his feet; "if
we're going to have company we oughtn't to receive them in the dark.
Larry, you know where to find one; strike a match and give us some
light."

He purposely set his chum to doing something, knowing that it was the
best way of reassuring Larry. And although the hands of the other
trembled more or less as he went about getting the lighted match in
touch with the turned-up wick of a lantern, he managed to accomplish
the job in a fairly satisfactory manner.

They could hear the muttering of many voices, as the crowd drew near.
Evidently the men had noted the springing up of the light, and were
wondering whether they would be greeted with a discharge of firearms or
not.

If, as most of them doubtless suspected, these people on the boat with
whom the son of the McGee seemed to be associating in a queer fashion,
were really and truly spies, sent down by their hated enemies above, to
find out their weak points so that the sheriff might make the raid he
had long threatened, then they might yet be forced to capture the craft
by violence; and they were primed for a battle royal.

CHAPTER XIX

TAKEN PRISONER

Both lanterns had now been lighted, and were hung so that the interior
of the twenty-four foot motor boat was fairly illuminated. Phil had a
fine little searchlight in the bow, which he expected to make use of,
if the time ever arrived when they would want to keep moving after
nightfall; but there was no necessity for bringing this into play now.

"I only hope none of the vandals think to smash things here, if