opponents turned and
fled, doubling on their tracks and making for the boat. Larry, Muggins,
and Old Peter, being thoroughly roused, would have followed them
regardless of consequences, and undoubtedly would have been overpowered
by numbers (for the boat had just reached the shore), had not Will Osten
bounded ahead of them, and, turning round, shouted energetically--

"Follow me, lads, if you would be free. Now or never!"

Luckily the tone in which Will said this impressed them so much that
they stopped in their wild career; and when they looked back and saw
their young friend running away towards the woods as fast as his legs
could carry him, and heard the shout of the reinforced seamen as they
started from the water's edge to give chase, they hesitated no longer.
Turning round, they also fled. It is, however, due to Larry O'Hale to
say that he shook his fist at the enemy, and uttered a complex howl of
defiance before turning tail!

Well was it for all of them that day that the woods were near, and that
they were dense and intricate. Old Peter, although a sturdy man, and
active for his years, was not accustomed to running, and had no wind for
a race with young men.

His comrades would never have deserted him, so that all would have
certainly been captured but for a fortunate accident. They had not run
more than half a mile, and their pursuers were gaining on them at every
stride--as they could tell by the sound of their voices--when Will
Osten, who led, fell headlong into a deep hole that had been concealed
by rank undergrowth. Old Peter, who was close at his heels, fell after
him, and Larry, who followed Peter to encourage and spur him on, also
tumbled in. Muggins alone was able to stop short in time.

"Hallo, boys!" he cried in a hoarse whisper, "are yer timbers damaged?"

"Broke to smithereens," groaned Larry from the abyss.

Will Osten, who had scrambled out in a moment, cried hastily, "Jump in,
Muggins. I'll lead 'em off the scent. Stop till I return, boys, d'ye
hear?"

"Ay, ay," said Larry.

Away went Will at right angles to their former course, uttering a shout
of defiance, only just in time, for the mate of the _Rover_, who led the
chase, was close on him. Soon the sounds told those in hiding that the
_ruse_ had been successful. The sounds died away in the distance and
the deep silence of the forest succeeded--broken only now and then by
the cry of some wild animal.

Meanwhile, our hero u