Page:Fairview Boys and their Rivals.djvu/64

60 They found a wagon which Jed and his friends had dragged from some farm near by, loaded for the market. It was only half filled with pumpkins. The rest of the load had been used to bombard the boys on the beach.

"They've sneaked across the meadow yonder," said Dave.

"Yes, I see some of them now," cried Sammy, eagerly. "See, they're making for that grove yonder."

There was a hot chase. Sammy had called to Bob and Frank to join him. They and several others kept with Sammy.

They reached the patch of timber and ran in and about it. They hunted in the bushes and even up in some of the trees, but got no sight or trace of the enemy.

Suddenly the well-known signal of the crowd rang out over near some haystacks. The scattered group ran in the direction of the call. They came upon Dave and six of his fellows, who had formed a circle. In its center were two panting, done-out boys of "The Blues."

"We've got a couple of them," said Dave.

"Good!" echoed a chorus.

"Find some ropes, fellows," ordered Dave.

Several boys ran towards a farm-yard near by. Bob noticed that one of the captives was Jed Burr.

"What are you going to do with us?" asked Jed.

"Douse him in the lake!" cried one urgent voice.

"No, roll him down the bluff," said another.

"We'll do better than that," replied Dave. "Here, tie their arms behind them," he ordered, as several pieces of rope were brought to him.

"Hold on," said Jed. "Fun's fun, you know."

"Yes, you spoiled ours just now, so we're going to have some fresh fun," laughed Dave.