“Yes, I remember pulling a man out, and then falling sick from the cold, and when I got well the man I had pulled out was gone,” he answered.
“Well, I was the man you pulled out. I left the camp because I was only a fool young fellow and they made so much fun of me for falling in that I picked up and got out. I never knew you were the man until I saw you tonight and hitched your name up with the man who saved me. Now I’ll show you something like I promised.”
He rolled the barrels away and raised the trap. “Come up,” he called into the darkness.
Dick awoke from a troubled sleep and painfully crawled up the ladder. It took a few moments for his eyes to get accustomed to the light, and then he looked as though he saw a ghost.
“Uncle,” he almost shouted, for so it was that he always addressed Mr. Boone.
They clasped hands with a hearty good will and were about to exchange notes when the door was thrown open and Barrows and the two LeBlancs entered.
Each held a revolver with a steady hand.
“So, cook, you’ve turned traitor, have you? Well, it just makes another prisoner. Now Boone, it’s no use trying to do anything. Most of the men in the camp are in my pay, and just to be sure that we clean up tonight and tomorrow night as we had planned, we have seized all the men we are not sure of and have them herded in the bunkhouse and under heavy guard. This time we’ll succeed!”
CHAPTER XVIII
THE CAPTURE
We left Garry, Phil and Howells with the squatter king on the lake shore waiting for darkness. When it fell, they retrieved the canoe from its hiding place and started across the timberland to Dutton Lake. The trip occupied nearly three hours, although they made excellent speed.