Page:Castlemon--Joe Wayring at Home.djvu/392

 the hunt. Joe has gone up to the hotel after a boat."

"Oh! All right," said Mr. Swan. "Them's two of the lads that had the battle in the dark that I was telling you about," he added, addressing himself to the owner of the lost "scatter-gun", who was his employer.

"Well, I must say that they are plucky fellows, and that they deserve better luck," said the gentleman, returning the military salute which the boys gave him from sheer force of habit. "I hope their skiff can be easily repaired, Mr. Morris?"

"No trouble about that, sir," answered the guide. "She'll be right and tight before sundown—all except the paint."

After telling Roy and his companion that if they did not overtake him before, they would find him encamped somewhere on the bank of the creek near the pond, Mr. Swan applied himself to his oars, and a fleet of seven boats, manned by fourteen angry and determined guides and guests, set out in pursuit of Matt Coyle and his thieving crew. Ten minutes later Joe Wayring returned, accompanied by