"No, yeou can't! I'm a-goin' to git six dollars fer 'em—-they're the best in these air parts. Make it a dollar an' I'll let ye go."
"This is a regular hold-up," muttered Shep. "Offer him twenty-five cents."
At that moment came a loud cry from the direction of the farmhouse, which was located at the upper end of the orchard.
"Help! help! Simon! Simon! Help me!" came in the voice of a woman.
CHAPTER IV
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE BOAT
"Something is wrong sure!" exclaimed Snap, as the cry from the farmhouse was repeated.
He looked below and saw that Pop Lundy was running away, in the direction of the cry for assistance.
"Now is our chance to get away!" cried Whopper, and dropped to the ground, while the others did the same.
"Wait!" came from Snap. "That sounds as if somebody was in great trouble. Hadn't we better go and see what it means?"