ee here! you boys needn't get too fresh," came harshly from Slogwell
Brown. "I've heard all about your doings at Colby Hall, and how you got
the professor, here, and my son and his chum into trouble. Some day I
intend to make you suffer for that. But just now we are here on a
different errand."

"We're going to put old Stevenson off this island and take possession!"
cried Nappy triumphantly. "And then, when he goes, you can go, too!"

"Why cannot we take possession of these two cabins at once?" suggested
Asa Lemm. "The island belongs to us, and we have a perfect right to do
so."

"Of course we can take possession," answered Slogwell Brown.
"Remember--possession is nine points of the law," he added, in a low
tone of voice.

"We'll show old Stevenson where he belongs," growled Slugger.

"Yes, and we'll show these Rover boys where they belong, too," put in
Nappy, his eyes snapping viciously.

Without further ado, the whole party started toward the cabin which was
Barney Stevenson's home. Evidently the men had been there before, and
knew that this was the right building of the two.

"Oh, Jack! are you going to let them take possession?" questioned Fred,
in a low voice.

"What do you fellows think we ought to do?" queried the oldest Rover boy
quickly.

"I think we ought to make them keep out until Uncle Barney gets back,"
answered Randy.

"That's my idea, too," added his twin.

"They may have the right to this island, but I'd make them fight it out
with Mr. Stevenson," was Fred's comment.

"That's just the way I look at it, too," answered Jack. "Come on, Randy;
we'll guard that cabin while Andy and Fred can remain here to guard this
place."

"Would you dare to shoot at them?" questioned Fred anxiously.

"I don't think there will be any necessity for shooting, Fred. I think
if we merely show we mean business they will keep their distance."

The boys exchanged a few more words, and then Jack and Randy set off on
a run for the cabin occupied by Uncle Barney. They outdistanced the
visitors, and soon placed themselves in the doorway.

"Now, you keep back!" cried Jack warningly. "Don't come near this place
until Mr. Stevenson returns!"

"Ha! do you dare to threaten me?" burst out Slogwell Brown in amazement.

"You heard what I said."

"Every one of you keep away from here," put in Randy.

"See here, Rover!" commenced Asa Lemm. "This is outrageous! We own this
island, and we intend to take possession."