hear the bark of an honest watch
dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to
those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and
his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps
the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.

"Great governor! they're going to pay us a visit!" exclaimed Nick,
jumping up.

"All right," remarked Jack, composedly. "I don't see any reason for
being bothered by that. Let 'em come. For one, I'll rather enjoy
seeing a Southern lynching bunch. I've read about 'em lots of times.
And we've sure done nothing to make 'em want to swing us up. If there
ain't too many, perhaps we can let 'em have some good coffee and a bite
of fried ham."

"But--Erastus----," began George.

"We're not supposed to know a blessed thing about the fellow they
accuse of burning a house," said Jack, sternly. "Just act as if you
knew nothing--I mean you, Buster, for if anybody gives the secret away,
it will be you. Mum's the word, now. There, you can tell from that
they're heading down the river bank, and will be here right soon."

Jimmie started to brew a new pot of coffee immediately, taking his cue
from Jack's suggestion. Jimmie had great faith in the soothing effect
of a cup of that same prime Java, and believed that their expected
visitors would feel better disposed toward them if offered the olive
branch.

Presently there was a great stir close by, short barks from a couple of
dogs, and the gruff voices of several men. Then through the
low-hanging foliage the posse broke upon the boys' vision.

There were just three men, one of whom was a sheriff, if the star on
his coat denoted anything. He was a fierce looking-fellow, yet with a
twinkle in his eye as he sniffed the delightful aroma of the coffee.

"Why, it's a passel o' boyees jest," he declared, as though somewhat
surprised and disappointed because he had been hoping to come upon some
fugitives who were being rounded up. "And look at the boats, will ye,
fellers? Some tone to them craft, hey? Howd'ye, boyees! Room thar
alongside yer fire fur three tired and mighty thirsty and hungry coon
hunters?"

"Sure," replied Jack, pleasantly. "We heard your dogs, and guessed who
you must be; for they told us up above that the sheriff was hunting
with dogs down this way. So we put on a new pot of coffee, sheriff;
and there's enough of this ham left to give you all a few bites