Now it was quite dark in the woods, and they hastened away into the thick shadows.
CHAPTER XXVII
FRANK’S CAPTURE.
The following morning the campers on Sandy Point were astir at an early hour. Browning did not carry a mark of the conflict, but Merriwell and Hodge showed slight bruises.
Diamond was thoroughly ashamed of having been found in such a gang. Naturally distant toward strangers, it was difficult for him to explain how he had been led into the trap. Seeing this, Frank did not press him for an explanation. The real truth was, however, that, overcome by mortification because of the poor showing he had made in the canoe race, the Virginian had decided to take a drink. Being in a prohibition State, he had found it difficult to obtain anything. However, he had found an individual who claimed to know where there was something, and Jack had been led to the cottage up the shore. After taking two or three drinks, the Virginian did not notice that the party that gathered was composed of persons who seemed to have a secret understanding, one with another. Jack was looking for excitement, and a game of poker promised to provide what he sought. Thus he was drawn into the game. After it began Welch appeared and was taken in. Then came Bunker. The reader knows what followed.
Dunnerwust turned out early and built a fire. Then he wandered away from the cottage, going out to the shore.
Twenty minutes later, he came panting and stumbling into the cottage, showing symptoms of great excitement.
“Kvick!” he gurgled. “Somepody gone oudt und drife him avay!”
“What’s the matter, Hans?” asked Frank.
“He vill got avay uf you don’d hurry oop!” spluttered the Dutch boy.