"Yes, I guess I'll go back with you," he said. "I'll take you back, and then daddy and Captain Ben and I will come back here and drive the tramps away."
"Daddy won't let you," said Rose; and, in his heart, Russ believed his sister was right.
"Come on!" exclaimed Vi. "I don't want any of the ragged men to get me."
"Oh, they won't get you. See! Daddy and mother and Captain Ben are right down there," and Rose pointed to where the others of the picnic party could be seen in the grove on the beach.
"My! What's the matter? Did you see a cow?" asked Captain Ben, with a smile, when the four children came hurrying back from their excursion.
"I saw some ragged men!" exclaimed Laddie.
"I saw 'em too—and I don't like 'em! They were tramps!" declared Vi. "And maybe they were the same tramps that took Mrs. Brown's jewelry."
"Oh, I hardly think so," said Mrs. Bunker. But daddy and Captain Ben looked at each other, and then both men rose quickly to their feet.
"Tramps, eh?" said Captain Ben in a low voice. "We don't want any such around here. And I don't believe the other cottagers know it. Let's go and take a look," he said to Mr. Bunker.
"Can't I come?" asked Russ.