ed by what they had brought, and the
cold water from the stream, they fared very well, indeed.

"I reckon we will do better than Jim and Juarez," said Tom. "I don't
believe that they will get anything."

"We ought to do well this afternoon," said Jo.

And they did. By four o'clock they had a joint catch of thirty-five
trout, and decided that was enough for the present. At Jo's suggestion
they decided to give Jeems a surprise. So they approached the hill
with due care, making their attack on the side towards the slope of
the mountain which was best protected. They began their stealthy
crawl up through the pine trees, until they came in sight of the camp.

The first evidence they saw of Jeems was his feet sticking out, being
quite prominent in their blue socks with white tips, he having removed
his boots for comfort. His back was against a big pine, and he was
peacefully asleep. Before he could move a rope was passed quickly
around his chest and he was bound firmly to the tree by unseen hands.

"Help!" he yelled. "Tom, Jo, come here quick, they've got me!"

CHAPTER XXIV

BIG GUS AND HIS GANG

Thus having got poor Jeems securely tied, Tom and Jo vamoosed down the
hill shaking with laughter. Then they ran around the edge to the brook
side of the hill and ran to Jeems' rescue, he yelling lustily for help.

"Where did they go?" cried Jo.

"Back to the woods," replied Jeems.

"How many were they?" asked Tom.

"I couldn't count 'em," answered Jeems.

"What were you doing?" inquired Jo, "while these rascals were tying
you?"

"Nuthin'," replied Jeems.

"I suppose you were asleep," put in Tom.

"I was meditating," replied Jeems with dignity.

"With your eyes shut," added Jo.

"The best way," explained Jeems, "for in that way it shuts out every
outside object, even outlaws."

"I wonder what luck Jim and Juarez are having?" said Jo, changing the
subject.

"They ought to be showing up pretty soon now," remarked Tom.

"Maybe they have got tied up too," said Jeems.

Let us solve this for ourselves by following Jim and Juarez on their
hunting expedition. Concluding their race, they settled down to the
search for game. After going several miles they branched off to the
northwest where a part of the valley formed a park with trees
wide-spaced and grass. It was a beautiful place.

"This is the kind of country to find deer in," said Juarez.

"It does look good," said Jim. "We had better leave our horse