"I won't go!" yelled the squirming Ike--"I'll have your bones for this!"
"I would advise you," said Ralph to the frantic captive, "to behave yourself. You are going where you will have good treatment. Build up, and do some thinking. I shall be as friendly to you as if you hadn't tried to brain me."
"You don't mean," said the astonished Van, "that you are going to stay behind?"
"Yes," answered Ralph, with a significant glance at Ike. "I have an idea it is my clear duty to investigate why Ike Slump built that raft."
[CHAPTER XXXIV--VICTORY!]
In about five minutes the arrangements were completed by Ralph and Van for the transportation of their prisoner to "headquarters."
Ike Slump, tied securely, was snugly propped up in the seat beside Van. Ralph waited until he saw them safely on their way, and then went straight back to the spot where he had discovered Ike.
A cursory view of the raft had already awakened a vivid train of thought. Now, as he looked it over more particularly, Ralph found that he had grounds for suspicions of the most promising kind.
"Ike must have been at work on this for several days," decided Ralph. "I didn't think he had so much patience and constructive ability. It's big enough to carry a house, and of course his making it, as he says, to float himself down stream to a safe distance, is sheer nonsense."
Some large logs formed the basis of the raft. Over these were nailed boards to give its bottom depth and solidity.