The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Rover Boys on Treasure Isle, by Edward Stratemeyer (AKA Arthur M. Winfield) This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: The Rover Boys on Treasure Isle or The Strange Cruise of the Steam Yacht. Author: Edward Stratemeyer (AKA Arthur M. Winfield) Release Date: September 9, 2007 [EBook #22547] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE *** Produced by David Edwards and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from scans of public domain material produced by Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.) Front cover IT WAS EXCITING TO BRING THE ROWBOAT THROUGH THE PASSAGE. THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE OR THE STRANGE CRUISE OF THE STEAM YACHT BY ARTHUR M. WINFIELD (Edward Stratemeyer) AUTHOR OF THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL, THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN, THE PUTNAM HALL SERIES, ETC. ILLUSTRATED Logo NEW YORK GROSSET & DUNLAP PUBLISHERS Made in the United States of America BOOKS BY ARTHUR M. WINFIELD (Edward Stratemeyer) THE FIRST ROVER BOYS SERIES THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST THE ROVER BOYS IN THE AIR THE ROVER BOYS IN NEW YORK THE ROVER BOYS IN ALASKA THE ROVER BOYS IN BUSINESS THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR THE SECOND ROVER BOYS SERIES THE ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL THE PUTNAM HALL SERIES THE PUTNAM HALL CADETS THE PUTNAM HALL RIVALS THE PUTNAM HALL CHAMPIONS THE PUTNAM HALL REBELLION THE PUTNAM HALL ENCAMPMENT THE PUTNAM HALL MYSTERY 12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, New York COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY EDWARD STRATEMEYER The Rover Boys on Treasure Isle INTRODUCTION. My Dear Boys: This is a complete tale in itself, but forms the thirteenth volume of the "Rover Boys Series for Young Americans." This line of books was started some ten years ago with the publication of the first three volumes, "The Rover Boys at School," "The Rover Boys on the Ocean" and "The Rover Boys in the Jungle." At that time I thought to end the series with a fourth volume—provided the readers wanted another. But with the publication of "The Rover Boys Out West," came a cry for "more!" and so I added "On the Great Lakes," "In the Mountains," "In Camp," "On Land and Sea," "On the River," "On the Plains," "In Southern Waters" and "On the Farm," where we last left our friends. For a number of years Tom, Dick and Sam have attended a military academy, but now their school days at Putnam Hall are at an end, and we find them getting ready to go to college. But before leaving home for the higher seat of learning they take a remarkable cruise on a steam yacht, searching for an island upon which it is said a large treasure is hidden. They are accompanied on this trip by their father and a number of friends, and have several adventures somewhat out of the ordinary, and also a good bit of fun—for there is bound to be fun when Tom Rover is around. They lose themselves and lose their yacht, and once some of them come pretty close to losing their lives, but in the end—well, the story will tell the rest. I cannot close without again thanking my many friends for all the nice things they have said about the "Rover Boys" stories and the "Putnam Hall" stories. I trust the present volume will fulfill every fair expectation. Affectionately and sincerely yours, EDWARD STRATEMEYER CONTENTS PAGE I. BOUND FOR HOME II. AN IMPORTANT TELEGRAM III. FUN ON THE FARM IV. A MIDNIGHT SEARCH V. AT THE OLD MILL VI. THE STORY OF A TREASURE VII. IN WHICH SOMETHING IS MISSING VIII. THE ROVER BOYS IN NEW YORK IX. A CHASE ON THE BOWERY X. DICK BECOMES A PRISONER XI. ABOARD THE STEAM YACHT XII. SOMETHING ABOUT FIRECRACKERS XIII. A WILD AUTOMOBILE RIDE XIV. WHAT A ROMAN CANDLE DID XV. THE SAILING OF THE STEAM YACHT XVI. A ROW ON SHIPBOARD 1 11 19 29 39 50 60 70 80 90 100 111 120 130 140 150 THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE CHAPTER I BOUND FOR HOME "Hurry up, Sam, unless you want to be left behind!" "I'm coming!" shouted Sam Rover, as he crossed the depot platform on the run. "Where is Tom?" "He went ahead, to get two good seats for us," answered Dick Rover. He looked around the crowd that had gathered to take the train. "Hi, there, Songbird, this way! Come in this car, Hans!" "Say, aren't you fellows coming aboard?" came a voice from the nearest car, and a curly-topped head with a pair of laughing eyes appeared. "Folks crowding in to beat the band! Come on in if you want seats." "We'll be in directly," answered Sam, and followed his brother Dick to the car steps. Here there was quite a jam, and the Rover boys had all they could do to get into the car, followed by half a dozen of their school chums. But Tom Rover had managed to keep seats for all, and they sat "in a bunch," much to their satisfaction. Then the train rolled out of the station, and the journey homeward was begun. The term at Putnam Hall Military Academy was at an end, and the school days of the three Rover boys at that institution were now a thing of the past. Each had graduated with honors, yet all were a trifle sad to think that there would be no going back to a place where they had made so many friends. "It's almost like giving up your home," Dick had said, several times, while at the actual parting Sam had had to do his best to keep back the tears which welled up in his eyes. Even fun-loving Tom had stopped a good deal of his whistling and had looked unusually sober. "We'll never have such good times as we've had at Putnam Hall," Sam had said, but he was mistaken, as later events proved. The three Rover boys did not wish to part from their many school chums, yet they were more than anxious to get home, and for this there was a very good reason. Their father had told them that he had a very important communication to make to them—one regarding how the summer was to be spent. So far no arrangements had been made for the vacation, and the brothers were anxious to know "what was in the wind," as Tom expressed it. "Maybe we are to prepare for college," said Dick. XVII. A MISHAP IN THE FOG XVIII. THE NEW DECK HAND XIX. TREASURE ISLE AT LAST XX. THE BOYS MAKE A DISCOVERY XXI. SCARING OFF THE ENEMY XXII. PRISONERS IN THE FOREST XXIII. WHAT WINGATE HAD TO TELL XXIV. A MISSING LANDMARK XXV. THE TRAIL THROUGH THE JUNGLE XXVI. A DISMAYING DISCOVERY XXVII. WHAT HAPPENED ON THE STEAM YACHT XXVIII. A NEW MOVE OF THE ENEMY XXIX. THE HUNT FOR THE TREASURE XXX. HOMEWARD BOUND—CONCLUSION 159 169 179 189 198 208 218 226 234 241 249 257 265 275 "Perhaps we are to go on another trip to Africa?" added Sam. "Or start on a hunt for the North Pole," put in Tom. "That would be just the thing for this hot weather." "I can tell you one thing," went on Dick. "Whatever father has on his mind is of a serious nature. It is no mere outing for pleasure." "I know that," answered Sam. "I could see it by the look on his face." "Well, we'll know all about it by this time to-morrow," said Tom. "I hope it is some trip—I love to travel," and his brothers nodded their heads in approval. To those who have read any of the twelve previous volumes in this "Rover Boys Series" the three brothers will need no special introduction. For the benefit of new readers allow me to state that Dick was the oldest, fun-loving Tom next, and Sam the youngest. They were the sons of Anderson Rover, a widower and rich mine owner. The father was a great traveler, and for years the boys had made their home with their uncle, Randolph Rover, and their Aunt Martha, on a farm called Valley Brook, in the heart of New York state. From the farm, and while their father was in Africa, the boys had been sent to Putnam Hall, as related in the first volume of this series, entitled, "The Rover Boys at School." At the Hall they made a score of friends and several enemies, some of which will be introduced later. A term at school was followed by a trip on the ocean, and then one into the jungles of the Dark Continent in search of Mr. Rover, who had mysteriously disappeared. Then the Rover boys went out west and to the great lakes, and later spent a fine time hunting in the mountains. They likewise spent some time in camp with their fellow cadets, and during the summer vacation took a long trip on land and sea. Then they returned home, and during another vacation sailed down the Ohio River in a houseboat, spent some time on the plains, took an unexpected trip to southern waters, and then came back to the farm. On getting back home, as related in the twelfth volume of this series, called "The Rover Boys on the Farm," the boys had imagined that adventures for them were a thing of the past. They were willing to take it easy, but this was not to be. Some bad men, including a sharper named Sid Merrick, were responsible for the theft of some freight from the local railroad, and Merrick, by a slick trick, obtained possession of some traction company bonds belonging to Randolph Rover. The Rover boys managed to locate the freight thieves, but Sid Merrick got away from them, dropping a pocketbook containing the traction company bonds in his flight. This was at a time when Dick, Tom and Sam had returned to Putnam Hall for their final term at that institution. At the Hall they had made a bitter enemy of a big, stocky bully named Tad Sobber and of another lad named Nick Pell. Tad Sobber, to get even with the Rovers for a fancied injury, sent to the latter a box containing a live, poisonous snake. The snake got away and hid in Nick Pell's desk and Nick was bitten and for some time it was feared that he might die. He exposed Tad Sobber, and fearing arrest the bully ran away from the Hall. Later, much to their surprise, the Rover boys learned that the bully was a ward and nephew of Sid Merrick, and when the sharper disappeared Tad Sobber went with him. "They are certainly a bad pair," said Dick, but how bad the Rovers were still to find out. With the boys on the train were John Powell, better known as "Songbird," because he had a habit of reciting newly made doggerel which he called poetry, Hans Mueller, a German youth who frequently got his English badly twisted, Fred Garrison, who had graduated with the Rovers, and some others. "Dick, you haven't told me yet what you intend to do this summer," remarked Fred Garrison, as the train rolled on. "Because I don't know, Fred," answered the elder Rover. "My father has something in store, but I don't know what it is." "Can't you guess?" "No." "I wish we could take another trip like that on the houseboat—it was certainly a dandy." "The best ever!" put in Tom. "Even if we did have trouble with Lew Flapp, Dan Baxter and some others." "Speaking of Dan Baxter puts me in mind of something," came from Songbird Powell. "It has just leaked out that Tad Sobber sent a note to Captain Putnam in which Tad blamed some of the cadets for his troubles, and said he was going to get square some day." "Did he mention any names?" questioned Sam. "Yes." "Mine?" "Yes—and Dick's and Tom's, too." "It is just like Sobber—to blame his troubles on somebody else," remarked Dick. "I am not afraid of him," declared Tom. "He had better keep his distance—unless he wants to get the worst of it. We used to put up with a whole lot from Dan Baxter before he reformed—I am not going to put up with as much from Sobber." "Tad certainly went off in bad company," said Sam. "His uncle ought to be in prison this minute." "Have the authorities heard anything of Merrick?" asked Songbird. "Not a thing." "I dink me dot feller has skipped to Europe alretty," vouchsafed Hans Mueller. "He vould peen afraid to stay py der United States in, yah!" And the German boy shook his head wisely. "Personally I never want to set eyes on Sobber again," said Dick, with a shrug of his broad shoulders. "The idea of introducing that deadly snake into the school was the limit. Why, half a dozen of us might have been bitten instead of only poor Pell." "Maybe he did it only for a joke," said Larry Colby, another of the cadets. "If he did, it was carrying a joke altogether too far—endangering one or more human lives. I don't believe in that sort of fun." "Nor do I," came from several. "If he is in Europe with his uncle perhaps I'll meet him there," said Larry Colby. "I am going to France and Italy with my uncle and cousin. Wish some of you fellows were going along," he added, wistfully. "I am going to the Maine woods," said a lad named George Granberry. "You can never guess who is going there, too." "Who?" "William Philander Tubbs and Mr. Strong." "What, our own dude going to camp in the wilderness," cried Tom. "Oh, if I was only along wouldn't I give him some surprises!" "I'll have some fun—don't forget that!" replied George, with a grin. "But as Mr. Strong is going to be along, of course I'll have to be a little careful." "Dear Mr. Strong!" murmured Sam, with a sigh. "What a fine teacher he is, and how I hate to give him up!" "I envy your having him along," said Dick. At that moment the train rolled into a station and Larry and some of the others got off. "We leave you at the next station," said Songbird, to the Rovers. "When you find out what you are going to do this summer, write and let me know." "I certainly shall," answered Dick. The three Rover boys soon after found themselves alone. They had to make a change of cars, and some time later rolled into the station at Oak Run. "Home again!" shouted Tom, as he alighted on the depot platform. "Yes, and there is Uncle Randolph waiting for us," added Dick, as he hurried forward to meet his relative. "How do you do, Uncle!" he cried. "I am well, Richard," answered Randolph Rover, and then he shook hands with all three boys. "Your—er— your father——" he began and hesitated. "Father? What of him?" asked Tom, in quick alarm, for he saw that his uncle was much disturbed. "Isn't he with you?" "Why, no!" answered the three, in a chorus. "He started for home last night," added Dick. "Took the train after the one you and Aunt Martha took." "But he didn't come home," said Randolph Rover. "Didn't come home?" "No." "Didn't he send any word?" questioned Sam. "None that I received." "He said he was going straight home—would telephone from Lockville for the carriage to meet the last train," said Tom. "This is mighty queer." It was queer and for the moment the Rover boys and their uncle stared blankly at one another. "Something is wrong," declared Dick, presently. "And I am going to make it my business to find out at once what it is." CHAPTER II AN IMPORTANT TELEGRAM Dick Rover would not have been so much disturbed by his father's disappearance had it not been for one thing, which was that Mr. Rover, on leaving the closing exercises at Putnam Hall, had declared that he would take the last train home that night. This train got into Oak Run at one o'clock in the morning, when the station was closed and the platform usually deserted. "Let us ask around and see if anybody was here when the train came in," suggested Tom. They first appealed to Mr. Ricks, the station master, an old and crabbed individual, who disliked the boys for the jokes they had played on him in times past. He shook his head at once. "Don't keep the station open that long," he grunted. "I was home an' in bed, an' I don't know anything about your father." "Was anybody around the station, that you know of?" went on Dick. "No." "Did any telegram come in for our family?" "If it did I reckon Jackson would send it over, or telephone." "Let us ask Jackson and make sure," said Sam, and led the way to the telegraph office. The telegraph receiver was ticking away at a lively rate, and Jackson, who had charge of the office, was taking down a message on a blank. "Hullo!" cried the telegrapher, as he finished and looked up. "Here is a message for Mr. Randolph Rover hot off the wire. It won't take long to deliver it," and he handed it over. "It's paid for," he added. "But you'll have to sign for it," and Mr. Rover did so. Eagerly all the Rovers read the communication, which ran as follows: "Am following man I want to catch if possible. May be away from home several days or a week. Very important to see man—trip this summer depends upon it. "Anderson Rover." "Wonder who the man can be?" mused Dick, after reading the message twice. "He has something to do with this matter father was going to tell us about," returned Sam. "It's certainly a mystery." "Well, this relieves our anxiety," said Randolph Rover. "So long as I know nothing has happened, your father can stay away as long as he pleases." "But I am dying to know what it is all about," burst out Tom, who was always impatient to get at the bottom of things. "Uncle Randolph, do you know what father has in mind to do this summer?" "He talks about taking a sea trip, but where to I don't know." "And he wants us to go along?" queried the youngest Rover. "I believe so, Samuel." "Hurrah! I'd like a sea trip first-rate." "Yes, but——" Mr. Rover lowered his voice. "He doesn't want anybody to know where to. It's some kind of a secret—very important, I imagine—something to do with a gold mine, or something of the sort. He did not give me any particulars." "He said he was going to let us know about it when we got home from the Hall," said Dick. "I hope he catches his man." "Wonder who it can be?" came from Tom. Nobody could answer that question, and in a thoughtful mood the three Rover boys followed their uncle to the carriage and got in. Then the team was touched up and away they whirled, out of the village, across Swift River, and in the direction of Valley Brook farm. It was a beautiful day in June and never had the country looked finer. As they swept along the well-kept road Dick drew a deep breath of satisfaction. "This air makes a fellow feel new all over!" he declared. "I suppose you are going to plant and grow some wonderful things this summer, Uncle Randolph," said Tom. His uncle had studied scientific farming for years, but had never made any tremendous success of it—in fact his experiments usually cost him considerably more than they brought in. "Well—er—I am trying my hand this year on some Mexican melons said to be very fine, Thomas," was the reply. "Mexican melons?" said the fun-loving Tom, innocently. "That puts me in mind—when I was over to Albany last I saw a pumpkin in a restaurant window eight feet high and at least ten feet across." "Is it possible!" ejaculated Randolph Rover, gazing at his nephew incredulously. "Sure thing. The pumpkin looked to be good, too. They had a lot of pumpkin pies set around it, just for an advertisement." "Thomas, did you measure that pumpkin?" "No; why should I?" "Then how do you know it was eight feet high and ten feet across?" "Why, Uncle Randolph, I didn't say the pumpkin was eight feet high and ten feet across. I said I saw it in a restaurant window eight feet high and ten feet across," and Tom drew down the corners of his mouth soberly. "Oh, Tom, that's the worst ever!" cried Sam. "You ought to be made to walk home for that," added Dick. "Thomas! Thomas! you are as bad as ever!" said Mr. Rover, with a sigh. "But I might have been on my guard. I know there are no pumpkins of that size." "Uncle Randolph, you'll have to forgive me," said Tom, putting his hand affectionately on his relative's shoulder. "I really couldn't help it—I am just bubbling over to think that school days are over and I won't have to do any studying for several months to come." "I fancy we'll have to tie you down to keep you out of mischief." "You won't have to tie me down if I go on a sea trip with dad." "Haven't you had sea trips enough—with being cast away in the middle of the Pacific, and being wrecked in the Gulf of Mexico? It seems to me every time you and the others leave home something serious happens to you." "True—but we always come back right side up with care and all charges paid," answered the fun-loving Rover airily. They soon made a turn in the road which brought them in sight of the big farmhouse, nestling comfortably in a group of stately trees. As they turned into the lane their Aunt Martha came to the front piazza and waved her hand. Down in the roadway stood Jack Ness, the hired man, grinning broadly, and behind Mrs. Rover stood Alexander Pop, the colored helper, his mouth open from ear to ear. At once Tom began to sing: "Home again! home again! Safe from Putnam Hall." And then he made a flying leap from the carriage, rushed up the steps and gave his aunt such a hug as made her gasp for breath. "Oh, Tom, you bear! Do let up!" she cried. "Now, there's a kiss for you, and there's another! How do you do, Sam, and how are you, Dick?" And she kissed them also. "I am glad you are back at last." She turned to her husband. "What of Anderson, did you hear anything?" "Yes, he will be back in a few days." "I'se jess too pleased fo' anything to see yo' boys back heah!" came from Aleck Pop. "It's dun been mighty lonely since yo' went away." "Don't worry, Aleck, we'll cheer you up," answered Tom. "Oh, I know dat, Massa Tom—yo'll turn dis place upside down in two days suah!" "Why, Aleck, you know I'd never do anything so rash," answered Tom, meekly. "Going to uncover some more freight thieves?" asked Jack Ness, as he took charge of the team and started for the barn. "I think dem boys had bettah cotch some of dem chicken thieves," put in Aleck Pop. "Yo' don't seem to git holt ob dem nohow." "Oh, never you mind about the chicken thieves," grumbled Jack Ness. "Has somebody been stealing chickens again?" asked Dick, remembering that they had suffered several times from such depredations. "Yes, da has—took two chickens las' Wednesday, foah on Saturday, an' two on Monday. Jack he laid fo' 'em wid a shotgun, but he didn't cotch nobody." "I'll catch them yet, see if I don't," said the hired man. "Perhaps a fox is doing it," suggested Sam. "If so, we ought to go on a fox hunt. That would suit me first-rate." "No fox in this," answered Jack Ness. "I see the footprints of two men,—tramps, I reckon. If I catch sight of 'em I'll fill 'em full of shot and then have 'em locked up." CHAPTER III FUN ON THE FARM Two days passed and the boys felt once more at home on the farm. The strain of the recent examinations and the closing exercises at school had gone and as Sam declared, "they were once more themselves," and ready for anything that might turn up. In those two days came another telegram from Mr. Rover, sent from Philadelphia, in which he stated that he had caught his man, but had lost him again. He added that he would be home probably on the following Sunday. This message came in on Monday, so the boys knew they would have to wait nearly a week before seeing their parent. "I am just dying to know what it is all about," said Tom, and the others said practically the same. Tom could not keep down his propensities for joking and nearly drove Sarah, the cook, to distraction by putting some barn mice in the bread box in the pantry and by pouring ink over some small stones and then adding them to the coal she was using in the kitchen range. He also took a piece of old rubber bicycle tire and trimmed it up to resemble a snake and put it in Jack Ness' bed in the barn, thereby nearly scaring the hired man into a fit. Ness ran out of the room in his night dress and raised such a yell that he aroused everybody in the house. He got his shotgun and blazed away at the supposed snake, thereby ruining a blanket, two sheets, and filling the mattress with shot. When he found out how he had been hoaxed he was the most foolish looking man to be imagined. "You just wait, Master Tom, I'll get square," he said. "Who said I put a snake in your bed?" demanded Tom. "I never did such a thing in my life." "No, but you put that old rubber in, and I know it," grumbled the hired man, and then went back to bed. Tom also had his little joke on Aleck Pop. One evening he saw the colored man dressing up to go out and learned that he was going to call on a colored widow living at Dexter's Corners, a nearby village. "We can't allow this," said the fun-loving Rover to his younger brother. "The next thing you know Aleck will be getting married and leaving us." "What do you think of doing?" asked Sam. "Come on, and I'll show you." Now, Aleck was rather a good looking and well-formed darkey and he was proud of his shape. He had a fine black coat, with trousers to match, and a gorgeous colored vest. This suit Tom was certain he would wear when calling on the widow. When in Ithaca on his way home the fun-loving Rover had purchased an imitation rabbit, made of thin rubber. This rabbit had a small rubber hose attached, and by blowing into the hose the rabbit could be blown up to life- size or larger. Leading the way to Aleck's room, Tom got out the colored man's coat and placed the rubber rabbit in the middle of the back, between the cloth and the lining. It was put in flat and the hose was allowed to dangle down under the lining to within an inch of the split of the coat-tails, and at this point Tom put a hole in the lining, so he could get at the end of the hose with ease. It was not long before Aleck came in to dress. It was late and he was in a hurry, for he knew he had a rival, a man named Jim Johnson, and he did not want Johnson to get to the widow's home ahead of him. He washed up and donned his clothing with rapidity, and never noticed that anything was wrong with the coat. "Now, Sam, you fix his necktie for him," whispered Tom, who, with his younger brother, was lying in wait outside the house. "Tell him it doesn't set just straight." Sam understood, and as soon as Aleck appeared he sauntered up side by side with Tom. "Hullo, Aleck, going to see your best girl?" he said pleasantly. "I'se gwine to make a little call, dat's all." "He's after the widow Taylor," put in Tom. "He knows she's got ten thousand or so in the bank." "Massa Tom, you dun quit yo' foolin'," expostulated Aleck. "If you are going to make a society call you want your necktie on straight," said Sam. "It's a fine tie, but it's no good the way you have it tied. Here, let me fix it," and he pulled the tie loose. "I did hab a lot ob trubble wid dat tie," agreed the colored man. "It's too far around," went on Sam, and gave the tie a jerk, first one way and another. Then he began to tie it, shoving Aleck again as he did so. In the meantime Tom had gotten behind the colored man and was blowing up the rubber rabbit. As the rubber expanded Aleck's coat went up with it, until it looked as if the man was humpbacked. Then Tom fastened the hose, so the wind could not get out of it. Next the youth brought out a bit of chalk and in big letters wrote on the black coat as follows: I have got to HUMP to catch the widow. "Now your tie is something like," declared Sam, after a wink from Tom. "It outshines everything I ever saw." "I'se got to be a-going," answered Aleck. "Much obliged." "Now, Aleck, hump yourself and you'll get the widow sure—along with her fourteen children." "She ain't got but two children," returned the colored man, and hurried away. His appearance, with the hump on his back and the sign, caused both the Rovers to burst out laughing. "Come on, I've got to see the end of this," said Tom, and led the way by a side path to the Widow Taylor's cottage. This was a short cut, but Aleck would not take it, because of the briar bushes and the dust. As the boys were in their knockaround suits they did not mind this. The widow's cottage was a tumbled-down affair on a side street of Dexter's Corners. A stovepipe stuck out of a back window, and the front door lacked the lower hinge. In the front yard the weeds were several feet high. "I don't see why Aleck wants to come and see such a person as this," observed Sam. "She may be pretty, as colored widows go, but she is certainly lazy and shiftless." "Yes, and she has more than two children and I know it. Why, once I came past here and I saw her with at least seven or eight." When the boys came up they saw several colored children hurrying away from the house. As they did this the widow came to the door and called after them: "Now, Arabella, go to the cemetery, jest as I tole yo', an' stay thar!" "I ain't gwine to stay long," answered Arabella. "You stay an hour or two," answered the widow. "To-morrow, I'll give yo' money fer lolly-pops." "What is she sending the children to the cemetery for?" asked Tom, in a whisper. "Maybe to keep 'em quiet," answered Sam, with a grin. "Must be wanting to keep them out of Aleck's way." At that moment the figure of a tall, lanky colored man came down a side street. The man entered the widow's cottage and received a warm welcome. "Glad to see you, Mistah Thomas. Hopes yo' is feelin' fine this ebenin'," said the widow graciously. "I'se come fo' to make yo' an offah," said Mr. Thomas. "Yo' said yo' would mahrry me soon as I had a job. Well, I'se got de job now." "Is it a steady job?" "Yes, at de stone quarry—dribin' a stone wagon." "How much yo' gits a week, Peter?" "Twelve dollahs," was the proud answer. "Den I closes wid you," said the widow, and allowed the suitor to embrace her. Just then Aleck came in sight. As he saw the couple through the open door he straightened up. "Maybe yo' didn't look fo' me around, Mrs. Taylor," he said, stiffly. "Oh, yes, I did, Mistah Pop," she said, sweetly. "But yo' see—I—dat is——" She stopped short. "Wot's dat?" she cried. "Wot?" "Dat hump on yo' back?" "Ain't no hump on my back," answered Aleck. "Suah da is." "He's got a sign on, too," put in Peter Thomas. "Look wot it reads, 'I hab got to hump to cotch de widow.' Hah! hah! hah! Dot's a good one." "Yo' needn't hump yo'self to cotch me," cried the widow, wrathfully. "I'se engaged to Mistah Thomas." And she smiled on the individual in question. Crestfallen and bewildered, Aleck felt of his back and took off his coat. He squeezed the rubber rabbit so hard that it exploded with a bang, scaring himself and the others. "Dat's a trick on me!" roared the Rover's man, and tore the rabbit from his coat. "Dem boys did dat!" "I can't see yo' to-night, or any udder night, Mistah Pop," said the widow. "I'se engaged to Mistah Thomas." "Den good-night," growled Aleck, and turning on his heel he started for home. Tom and Sam saw that he was angry, yet they had to roar at the scene presented. They wondered what Aleck would say when he got back to the farm. "We have got to square ourselves," said Tom. "How are you going to do it?" "Oh, we'll do it somehow." They took the short-cut, but so did Aleck, and consequently all three soon met. "Yo' played dat joke—yo' can't go fo' to deny it!" cried the colored man. "We are not going to deny it, Aleck," said Tom. "But it was no joke. We did it for your good." "Huh!" "We certainly did," put in Sam. "Why, Aleck, we can't bear to think of your getting married and leaving us." "Huh!" "We want you to stay with us," said Tom. "Besides, that widow has a lot of children and is after your money." "She ain't got but two chillen. She had moah, but she dun told me all but two was in de seminary." "The seminary?" queried Tom. Then a light broke in on him. "You mean the cemetery." "Persackly—de place da puts de dead folks." "Well, they are in the cemetery right enough—but they are a long way from being dead." "Wot yo' mean, Tom?" "We saw her send five of them away this evening—she told 'em to go to the cemetery and stay there awhile." "Wot! Yo' is fooling dis chile!" "It is absolutely true," said Sam. "I am quite sure she has seven children." "Huh! If dat's de case dat Thomas nigger can hab her," grumbled Aleck, and walked on. "But I ain't takin' yo' word fo' dis," he added cautiously. "I'se gwine to make a few investigations to-morrow." "Do so—and you'll thank us from the bottom of your heart," answered Tom; and there the subject was dropped. It may be added here that later on Aleck discovered that the widow had ten children and was head over heels in debt, and he was more than glad that the boys had played the trick on him, and that the other colored man had gained Mrs. Taylor's hand. CHAPTER IV A MIDNIGHT SEARCH That night was destined to be an eventful one on the Rover farm. Arriving home, Sam and Tom told of the fun they had had and Dick laughed heartily. Then all three of the boys went to bed. About midnight came a loud shouting from the barn, followed by the report of a shotgun. This was followed by a shriek from Sarah, the cook, who was afraid that burglars had come to murder her. "What's that?" questioned Dick, as he hopped out of bed. "That's Jack Ness' gun," answered Tom. "Something must be wrong at the barn." "Chicken thieves again—I'll bet a new hat," said Sam. By this time Randolph Rover and his wife were up and were lighting a lamp. Without waiting for them, the boys slipped on some clothing and their shoes and ran downstairs. Dick took with him a pistol and each of the others a baseball bat. "Boys! boys! be careful!" shouted their uncle after them. "All right," returned Dick, readily. He was the first outside, but Sam and Tom were close upon his heels. He heard Jack Ness running to the edge of a cornfield, shouting lustily. Then came another report of the shotgun. "What is it, Jack?" shouted Dick. "Who are you shooting at?" "I'm after two men," was the hired man's reply. "They jest run into the cornfield." "Chicken thieves?" queried Tom. "I guess so—anyway they was prowlin' around the hen house an' the barn. I called an' asked 'em what they wanted and they ran for dear life—so I knew they was up to no good." "They certainly must have been chicken thieves, or worse," was Sam's comment. "Really, this is getting to be too much," he added. "We ought to catch them and have them locked up." "I'm willing to go after them," answered Tom, readily. "Did you get a good look at the rascals?" asked Dick. "Not very 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 Tom. "Stop, unless you want to be shot!" "We'll do a little shooting ourselves if you are not careful!" came back in a harsh voice. "Take care! Take care!" cried Jack Ness, in terror, and ran to hide behind a handy tree. The two men in the boat were putting down the stream with all speed. The current, always strong, soon carried them around a bend and out of sight. It must be confessed that the boys were in a quandary. They did not wish to give up the chase, yet they realized that the escaping men might be desperate characters and ready to put up a hard fight if cornered. "Jack, I think you had better run over to the Ditwold house and tell them what is up," said Dick, after a moment's thought. "Tell Ike and Joe we are going to follow in Dan Bailey's boat." The Ditwolds were neighboring farmers and Ike and Joe were strong young men ever ready to lend a hand in time of trouble. "All right," answered the hired man, and set off, first, however, turning his firearm over to Tom.