nd
thousands taken. May bust the bank up, if they don't get the thieves.
And what do you think, they say they believe the two men who did the
job have gone down river _in a motor boat_!"

"A motor boat!" shouted the rest in unison.

"Listen while I read about it, and then tell me what you think about
this description of a suspicious craft that was seen leaving the river
front between midnight and Tuesday morning," saying which he went on to
read the account, while all the others sat there in suspense, drinking
in the news, since they knew that bank in the thriving town mentioned
very well.

"Hear what that reporter says about the suspicious motor boat," said
Jack, in conclusion. "Now, fellows, what craft does that make you
think of?"

"The _Tramp_!" sang out Nick, immediately.

"Yes, Jack," said George, soberly. "It sure hits your boat to a T. I
only hope it don't get you fellows into a peck of trouble, that's all!"

But it did, all the same.

CHAPTER VII.

QUITE A SURPRISE PARTY.

"I say, George, remember me telling you about that suspicious boat I
saw across near the other shore just after we got settled last night?"
said Josh.

"Hold on," returned George, quickly. "You don't mean it that way,
Josh. To hear you talk the fellows might think we were running after
hours. Fact is, we reached our stopping place at just ten minutes of
four. How was that for a swift run on a foggy day, one hundred and
thirty miles? And it was just before dusk when the rain let up, that
Josh said he glimpsed a boat that looked like the _Tramp_, sneaking
along down close by the Missouri bank."

"Yes, sneaking, that's the word I used," declared Josh, positively;
"because, you see, there was something about the way it went on that
made me think the crew didn't want to attract attention. Of course I
knew right away it wasn't our crowd. But after hearing what Jack read
I'd just like to bet that was the thief boat."

"Oh! well, there are heaps of motor boats on the old Mississippi,"
laughed Jack, "and I guess the same company that made mine have sold a
dozen of the same model in Illinois and Missouri. Still, it might be
as you say, Josh. And perhaps it will pay all of us to keep an eye out
for these slippery customers."

"What would you do if you happened to come on the boat like yours?"
asked Nick.

"That depends," replied Jack, seriously. "If I felt positive the men
aboard were the chaps who broke open the