Page:Castlemon--Joe Wayring at Home.djvu/284

 "Say! Hold on, there," exclaimed Matt, whose larder was empty and had been for some time. "What do you want me to do?"

"We want you to stay right thereon the bank until we can go up and land your provisions on the point opposite the mouth of the brook," replied Joe. "You must keep out in plain sight, mind you, for if you go back into the woods we shall think you are up to something, and then you can whistle for your grub."

As Joe said this he shipped an oar, and the skiff moved up the creek toward the point. The boys kept a close watch over Matt Coyle, but he never left the bank. He was biding his time, so he told his wife and boys. Joe and his friends had the advantage of him now, but there might come a day when he could catch them off their guard, and then they had better look out. If he couldn't take vengeance on them this summer, he would do it next summer. He would follow them wherever they went; and if he couldn't get a chance to steal every thing they had, he would make the country about Indian Lake so warm for them