The Rover Boys on Treasure Isle | Page 9

good," answered Jack Ness.
"They weren't boys, were they?"
"No--they were men--both tall and heavy fellows."
"Did you ever see them before?" asked Tom.
"Not that I can remember."
While they were talking the party of four had run down to the edge of
the cornfield. This spot was really a peach orchard, but the trees were
still so small that the ground was being utilized that season for corn,
planted in rows between the trees. The corn was not yet full grown, but
it was high enough to conceal a man lying flat or crouching down.
The sky was filled with stars and the old moon was beginning to show
over the hills beyond the valley, so it was fairly light across the field.
The boys kept their eyes on the corn and the peach trees, but failed to
discover any persons moving among them.
"My shotgun is empty--maybe I had better go back and load up," said
the hired man.
"Yes, do it, but hurry up," answered Dick. "I'll stay here on guard with
the pistol."
The hired man ran off toward the barn. Hardly had he disappeared
when Sam gave a short cry and pointed into the field with his hand.

"I saw somebody raise up just now and look around," he said. "He is
out of sight now."
"Where?" came from Dick and Tom quickly.
"Over yonder--by the twisted peach tree."
"I'll investigate," said Dick. "You can come along if you want to. Keep
your eyes open for both men. We don't want either to get away if we
can help it."
The three lads spread out in something of a semi-circle and advanced
slowly into the field, keeping their eyes and ears on the alert for
anything out of the ordinary. Thus they covered fifty yards, when Tom
found himself near one of the largest of the peach trees. As he passed
this a form arose quickly from under a bough, caught him by the waist
and threw him forcibly to the ground.
"Hi!" yelled Tom. "Let up!" And then he made a clutch for his assailant,
catching him by the foot. But the man broke away and went crashing
through the corn, calling on "Shelley" to follow him.
The yell from Tom attracted the attention of Dick and Sam, and they
turned to learn what had happened to their brother. As they did this a
second man leaped up from the corn in front of them and started to run
in the direction of the river.
"Stop!" called out Dick. "Stop, or I'll fire on you!" And then he
discharged his pistol into the air as a warning. The man promptly
dodged behind a row of peach trees, but kept on running as hard as
ever.
The Rover boys were now thoroughly aroused, and all three started in
pursuit of the two men. They saw the fellows leave the field and hurry
down a lane leading to Swift River.
"I believe they are going to the river. Maybe they have a boat," said
Tom.

"I shouldn't wonder," answered Dick.
"I wish they would take to a boat," said Sam. "We could follow them
easily--in Dan Bailey's boat."
"Hi, where are you?" came a shout from behind, and they saw Jack
Ness returning. "Your uncle and aunt want you to be careful--they are
afraid those villains will shoot you."
"We'll be careful," answered Tom. "But we are going to capture them if
it can be done," he added, sturdily.
The hired man had reloaded the shotgun and also brought some
additional ammunition with him. He was nervous and the boys could
readily see that he did not relish continuing the pursuit.
"We can't do nothin' in the dark," he grumbled. "Let us wait till
morning."
"No, I am going after them now," answered Dick, decidedly.
"So am I," added Sam and Tom.
They were going forward as rapidly as the semi-darkness would permit.
The ground was more or less uncertain, and once the youngest Rover
went into a mud hole, splashing the mud up into Jack Ness' face.
"Hi, stop that!" spluttered the hired man. "Want to put my eye out?"
"Excuse me, Jack, I didn't see the hole," answered Sam.
"It ain't safe to walk here in the dark--somebody might break a leg."
"If you want to go back you can do so," put in Dick. "Give Tom the
shotgun."
"Oh--er--I'm goin' if you be," answered Jack Ness. He was ashamed to
let them know how much of a coward he really was.

It was quite a distance to Swift River, which at this point ran among a
number of stately willows. As the boys gained the water's edge they
saw a boat putting out not a hundred feet away.
"There they are!" cried Dick.
"Stop!" yelled