[CHAPTER XVI]
STRANDED
“Say, he can travel some!” exclaimed Dick, looking back over his shoulders when they had gone some distance. The hermit was still crashing through the underbrush after them.
“He sure can!” agreed Tom. “I would hardly believe that a man as old as he seems to be could be so spry on his feet.”
“He’s probably lived in the woods all his life,” explained Jack, as he limped along, “and he’s like an Indian. Are we getting away from him?”
“Well, we’re holding our own,” said Tom, as he looked back. “My! but he’s a savage-looking chap, though.”
On hurried the boys, anxious only, for the time being, to get to their boat and leave the angry hermit far behind.
“Wait ’till I catch you! Wait ’till I get hold of you!” the old man cried. “Young rapscallions! trying to do me out of the treasure I have looked for so long. Wait ’till I get you!”
“I hope he never does,” murmured Dick.