“Wha-what does this mean?” stammered Randy. The sudden turn of affairs completely bewildered him.
“Dad! Dad!” came from Andy, who in a flash thought his father might be the victim of foul play at the hands of the men who were now attacking them.
“Keep quiet there—keep quiet!” ordered one of the men who was holding Jack.
But the young major had no intention of submitting calmly to the unexpected attack that had been made on him and his cousins. Like a lightning flash it came to him that they were the victims of a trap, and his astonishment was increased when he saw that the man who was holding him was Carson Davenport!
“I told you I’d get you some day, you rat!” cried Davenport between his set teeth. “I’ve waited a long time, but now I’ve got you!” and still holding Jack he did his best to bind the young major’s hands behind him.
In the meanwhile the other boys were struggling with might and main to get away from the rascals who were holding them. Half a dozen blows were struck, and poor Fred was dragged outside by two of the men and tightly bound, hands and feet. Andy presently followed, and then the whole gang of men set upon Randy and Jack. They continued to fight until each received a blow on the head that all but stunned him. Then they, too, were roped up.
In the mêlée in the cabin Randy and his assailant had lunged against the bunk where the figure supposed to be that of Tom Rover rested. In the mix-up the figure fell out on the floor and proved to be nothing but a crudely made dummy.
When the boys recovered somewhat from the effects of the unexpected attack they were surprised to find themselves confronted, not only by Carson Davenport, but also by Tate and Jackson, Davenport’s cronies in the oil fields. The other two men were a fellow named Digby and the guide who had brought them to the ill-fated spot.
“Well, that trick worked to perfection,” said Davenport, as he eyed the four prisoners with satisfaction. “Now then, Ocker, tell us just how you worked it.”
Thereupon Ocker related how he had gone directly to Gansen Lake and told his faked story of Tom Rover’s mishap. He had not been near Cal Corning’s home, for the reason that the crowd had already information regarding the movements of the younger Rovers.