"Where? Which tree, Molly? Take care what you say, or there'll be two in the swim before long!" came an excited chorus.
"Look for yourself, ninnies—just as George said, there's a man behind that big sycamore; don't you see his head moving?" demanded the accused one.
"It's true, fellows; I can see him now!" came from Ben Cloud.
"Yes, and I caught sight of the other back of that oak. Oh! say, what shall we do about it?" asked a slender chap, who looked considerably alarmed.
Frank laughed, and so heartily that the others stared at him, wondering what he could see about the affair to make it seem comical. To them it was a decidedly serious matter.
"History loves to repeat itself, fellows; you know that. On that other night, after Lanky and myself had been presented with that horse and buggy, you remember we were ourselves held up on the road?" he remarked, presently.
"Yes, but it turned out to be by friends!" declared one of the quaking boys.
"Well, once again our guardian angel seems to be hovering near, to show up on the scene just after the battle is won. Watch now, and see," and elevating his voice Frank shouted:
"Hello! there, Chief Hogg, come this way, for we've got something nice for you!"
"Chief Hogg!" ejaculated George.