a dream in that direction;
and no one could possibly suspect that in the midst of that bunch of
foliage a brawny lad was crouched, ready to drop like a plummet when
given the word.

Yes, the sound was repeated, and as near as Jack could make out it
seemed just what might be expected were an inexperienced person trying
to creep through a thick covert. These two fugitives from justice
might be exceedingly clever in their own field; doubtless they knew
everything pertaining to the art of blowing open safes in country
banks; but as woodsmen they had much to learn, ere they could crawl
through brambles without making a swishing noise.

Jack held himself sternly in. When he found that his hand was
quivering more than he thought necessary, he mentally took himself
sternly to task and put a stop to such silliness, as he termed it.

The wonderful command which he had always possessed over himself had
been the secret of much of his great success on the baseball field,
when the whole game hinged on a single ball which he had to deliver to
a heavy batter. And that batter usually struck out when the pinch
came, for he proved to have less stamina than the opposing pitcher.

Now Jack could see the bushes moving, and knew that something was going
to happen in short order. He hoped Jimmie would be able to master his
end of the job without a blunder; for sometimes the Irish boy, no
matter how willing, had a peculiar faculty for doing the wrong thing.

Jack had both the hammers of his gun drawn back, ready for business.
He remained as motionless as a stone when he saw moving objects creep
into the little opening alongside the cove in which the motor boat lay
moored to a couple of trees.

Of course they were the two desperate rascals come to carry out their
design of injuring the boat of the lads they believed to be in league
with their pursuers, and possibly even harming Jack and his mate in
person.

Several times they raised their heads to look around. Jack could see
their faces at such times, for the fire was not yet dead; and somehow
he fancied that the two were hard looking fellows, just of the stripe
one would expect to find ready to attempt some daring, lawless deed.

Now they were crawling eagerly toward the spot where the blankets
covered the two forms. Then it must be their intention to first secure
the owners of the boat before attempting its destruction.

Jack steeled his heart against anything in the shape of m