m. Arriving home, Sam and Tom told of the fun they had had and

he report of a shotgun. This was followed by a shriek from Sarah

stioned Dick, as h

answered Tom. "Something

re up and were lighting a lamp. Without waiting for them, the boys slipped on some clothing and t

eful!" shouted thei

returned Di

s heels. He heard Jack Ness running to the edge of a cornfie

shouted Dick. "Who a

e hired man's reply. "They

hieves?" q

an' the barn. I called an' asked 'em what they wanted an

was Sam's comment. "Really, this is getting to be too much,

after them," answ

od look at the ra

od," answere

n't boys,

en-both tall an

before?" asked Tom. "No

hard, but the trees were still so small that the ground was being utilized that season for corn, planted in rows betw

eyond the valley, so it was fairly light across the field. The boys kept their eyes o

I had better go back and lo

answered Dick. "I'll stay he

oward the barn. Hardly

and pointed into th

t now and look around," he s

Tom quickly. "Over yonder

if you want to. Keep your eyes open for both men. W

lert for anything out of the ordinary. Thus they covered fifty yards, when Tom found himself near one of the largest of the peac

sailant, catching him by the foot. But the man broke away and we

arn what had happened to their brother. As they did this a second man leaped up

scharged his pistol into the air as a warning. The man promptly dodg

started in pursuit of the two men. They saw the fellows le

ng to the river. Maybe

o

wonder," an

t," said Sam. "We could follow t

aw Jack Ness returning. "Your uncle and aunt want you to

But we are going to capture them if

additional ammunition with him. He was nervous and the boys c

he dark," he grumbled. "L

er them now," answe

" added S

t. The ground was more or less uncertain, and once the youngest Rov

tered the hired man. "

I didn't see the h

here in the dark-some

ou can do so," put in Dic

Jack Ness. He was ashamed to let them

n among a number of stately willows. As the boys gained the wa

ey are!"

. "Stop, unless yo

rselves if you are not careful

Jack Ness, in terror, and ra

ream with all speed. The current, always strong,

sh to give up the chase, yet they realized that the escaping men might

a moment's thought. "Tell Ike and Joe we are going to follow in Dan Bailey's boat." The Ditwolds were

man, and set off, first, however

lowing waters, as my old readers know. They skirted a number of the willows and came to a small creek, where t

ck, in disgust. "He always takes

. More than this, they felt that by the time the oars were brought the other craft would

for a paddle. The current will carry us almost as swiftly as if we we

their boat to bits," grumbled Tom, who had gotten a

p, sent the craft well out where the current could catch it. Down the stream went the boat, with Sam in the middle and Tom in the stern. There was

rked Sam, as he started to lace his shoes,

s who visited our henhouse before," a

now they mus

went ashore-ju

ery well-it is too rocky, you kn

lls, where Sam had once had such a thrilling adventure, as related in "The Rover Boys at Schoo

ng stretch ahead of them, shimmering like silver in the moonbeams. Sam, look

ey are!"

oard for a paddle, and with the current tearing along wildly, this was not easy. The rowbo

oing!" cried Tom. "To t

is oldest brother. "If I try to get in there

ith oars," was Sam's comment. "S

en leap to their feet in alarm. But then the craft steadied itself, and a

upon which the mill was located. They hit several rocks, but at last came in where there was a

s if we can," said Tom, and without delay the three Rover boys started th