“That’s just what we wanted to do,” answered the guide. “But when we come to talk to some of the guests about it—there was lawyers among them, you know—we found that we didn’t have any evidence that would convict him. We suspected him, but we could not prove any thing.”
“You’ll not be troubled in that way this time,” Arthur remarked. “You’ll have the guns for evidence.”
“Don’t fool yourself,” said the guide. “Do you suppose that they will find that three hundred dollar scatter-gun and that fifty dollar rifle when they find Matt Coyle—that is, if they do find him? Not by a great sight. Them things is safe hid in the woods. Matt’ll sw’ar that he didn’t hook ’em, and there ain’t a living man that can sw’ar that he did. The only thing they can do is to burn him out of house and home, like we did last time, and force him to go off somewhere and steal a new outfit.”
“What’s the reason we can’t go with them?” said Joe, suddenly.
“I reckon you can. You know more about the woods than some of that party do, and you might be of some use to them.”
“Well, look here, Mr. Morris: Will you fix up our boat in good shape, give her a coat or two of paint and take care of the things that we shall be obliged to leave behind us?”
“I will, sartain,” answered the guide, readily.
In an instant both the lockers were opened, and Joe Wayring, snatching up a camp basket, started post-haste for the hotel to hire a skiff and purchase a small supply of provisions for the trip, leaving Roy and Arthur to select the outfit. The tent and the most of their heavy cooking-utensils were to be left behind. They were very useful articles, of course, but they were not absolutely necessary to their existence, or even to their comfort. Besides, the skiff that would be provided for them would not carry as much “duffle” as the roomy boat they were going to leave in the guide’s keeping. Their bows and arrows, blankets, the knapsacks that contained their extra clothing, and the frying pan must go, of course; but every thing else was left behind.
While they were awaiting Joe’s return, Mr. Swan and his party came up, got into their boats and pushed away from the beach. Mr. Morris pointed out two stalwart gentlemen in shooting costume, who, he said, were the owners of the stolen guns. They seemed to be in very bad humor, and the boys did not wonder at it.
“I shouldn’t like to be in Matt’s place if those men get their hands on him,” said Roy, in a low tone.