Page:Rover Boys Down East.djvu/248

236 "Can't we stop 'em from landing?" asked Larkspur. He was plainly scared.

"You can't land here!" called out the young man who had run the Magnet. "This is private property. I forbid you coming in."

"Private property?" called out Captain Wells.

"That is what I said." And now the young man turned to his companions and a whispered, but animated conversation ensued.

"Who are you?" asked Dick.

"I am Alfred Darkingham. This island be longs to my uncle, John Darkingham. He gave us permission to come camping here, and said we needn't let anybody else come ashore. I forbid your making a landing."

"That's the way to talk, Alf!" cried Koswell, in a low, but earnest voice. "Make 'em stay away."

"Yes! yes! don't let 'em come ashore!" added Larkspur.

"Mr. Darkingham, I'd like to talk to you," said Dick, as the steam tug bumped against the dock.

"Don't you listen to him, Alf!" cried Koswell. "He only came to make trouble."

"Make him go right away," added Larkspur.

"I want you to leave," ordered Alfred Darkingham. Evidently he was a close crony to the boys who had run away from Brill.

"I want to ask you a few questions," pursued