“Go to thunder!” muttered Broxton.
“We’re not to be caught to-day,” added Hank Griswold.
In another second the steam tug was clear of the stringpiece of the wharf.
Leo hesitated not a moment, but, taking a flying leap, landed on her forward deck. With angry yells Griswold and Broxton rushed on him.
“We’ve got him now!” said the former. “Down the lake with you, captain, and be quick!”
“Stop the tug, those men are criminals,” said Leo.
The tug captain paid no attention. He was in the pay of the other men.
Griswold had a stick in his hand, and now he aimed a savage blow at Leo’s head.
The young gymnast warded it off as well as he was able, but he was no match for both men, and soon they had him down.
“A rope!” roared Griswold, and when it was brought he and Broxton and one of the tug hands proceeded to bind Leo’s hands and feet.