"And you were just starting to look for us?" asked Ted.
"Yes—the moment we were ready, without waiting for an early morning start. I'll tell you later what kept me away from home so long, and why my servants thought you were staying in town, and how Cousin Jim thought you were just having a good time hunting around the plantation. I had just got home when your good old swamp-squatter friend turned up and told us where to find you."
"It doesn't matter, Uncle," said Ted. "I'm awfully glad—now that it's over—that you didn't start any sooner, because, if you had, you know, some of the great things that happened might not have happened."
Judge Ridgway smiled and squeezed the boy, then said:
"Well, now let me have a look at your party. Suppose you bring up the 'prisoners of war' first."
Turning away with a vastly important air to execute this commission, Ted and Hubert ran into the venerable Mr. George Smith.
"I'm that glad to see you boys I don't know what to do," declared the smiling old swamp-squatter, grasping their hands. "I'd 'a' footed it out to Judge Ridgway's even if Sweet Jackson had 'a' locked me up and flung away the key."
"He won't bother you any more," said Hubert, without stopping to explain.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Smith," said Ted. "I just knew you would."
Then the boys ran on their way.