cried Tom. "Some one is fighting us, and this wreck of a sea-wall
is the first proof. All right! If any one wants to fight us he shall find
that we know how to fight back, and that we can hit hard. Harry, from this
minute on we're after those crooks, and we'll make them realize that
there's some sting to us!"

"Good enough!" cheered Hazelton. "I like that old-time fight talk! But
are you going to do anything to protect the wall to-night, Tom?"

"I am," announced the young chief engineer.

"What's the plan?"

"Let me think," urged Reade. "Now, I believe, I have it. We'll send one
of the motor boats out here, with a foreman and four laborers. They can
arm themselves with clubs and patrol the water on both sides of the wall.
The 'Thomas Morton' has a small search-light on her that will be of use in
keeping a close eye over the wall."

"That ought to stop the nonsense," Harry nodded. "But I don't imagine that
any further efforts to destroy the wall will be made tonight, anyway."

"We'll have the night patrol out _every_ night after this," Tom declared.
"But I'm not so sure either, that another effort won't be made to-night, if
we don't put a watch on to stop this wicked business. Harry, do you mind
remaining out here while I run back and get the boat out?"

"Why should I mind?" Hazelton wanted to know.

"Well, I didn't know whether you would, or not---after seeing that
imaginary something behind you."

"Don't laugh at me! I may have had a start, but you ought to be the first
to know, Tom, that I haven't frozen feet."

"I do know it, Harry. You've been through too many perils to be suspected
of cowardice. Well, then, I'll run back."

Tom Reade had really intended to leave the flash lamp with his chum, but
he forgot to do so, and, as he jogged steadily along over the wall he threw
the light ahead of him. As he got nearer shore Tom increased his jog to a
brisk run.

Once, on the way, he passed the prowling negro without knowing it. That
huge fellow, seeing the ray of light come steadily near him, hesitated for
a few moments, then took to the water, swimming well out. After Reade had
passed, the fellow swam in toward the wall.

Up on the wall climbed the negro. For a few minutes he crouched there,
shaking the water from his garments. Then, cautiously, he began to crawl
forward.

"Boss Reade, he done gone in," muttered the prowler. "Boss Hazelton, Ah
reckon he's mah poultry!"

Harry, keeping