The light was moving; but it was not approaching him, as it would be if his supposition were correct. It was certainly moving in the direction of Beech Hill, and it must be from the dark-lantern of the robbers. If this was the case, they were certainly taking a great deal of care to show it to him.
He could not see the person who carried the moving light, or tell whether he was alone, or not. Just then it looked to Dory as though he was losing the game he had been playing so patiently. He left the fence again. By the side of the road was a quantity of hoop-poles, and he stumbled over them. He took one of them, and cut it in two; for it was best to have a club, though he did not expect to have to use it.
Somehow the weapon seemed to add to his strength, though it was no match for a revolver. From the evidence of the light, he concluded that not more than one, if either, of the men remained in the woods. It looked as though the robbers were arranging a new combination, and Dory decided to make sure that he did not leave one of the villains behind him if he followed the light.
It was but a short distance to the head of the bay, and a visit to the shore would not detain him ten minutes. He followed the cart-path, proceeding very cautiously. But he reached the shore without seeing or hearing any thing. It was beginning to be a little lighter.
Drawn up on a little beach he discovered a boat. This could belong only to the burglars. But why had they taken to the road, and started off in the direction of the school, instead of departing in their boat? But they must certainly return to the boat, and finally escape in it. The painter was made fast to a tree; and Dory lost no time in casting it off, and shoving the boat as far as he could from the shore.
He had closed that avenue of escape, and he started for the road. Before he had gone twenty steps, he found himself in the embrace of a man, who had fallen upon him in the rear. His club was useless; and the attack was wholly unexpected, for he had been fully satisfied that the robbers were both retreating by the road.
Dory struggled with all his might, but he was taken at an utter disadvantage. A puny assailant might overcome a giant in this manner if he were quick enough. The man had drawn his arms behind him, and was pounding him in the back with his knees.
"Lay hold of him, Chuck!" shouted the assailant, out of breath. "What are you about?"
"I am getting the rope ready," replied the other, as the first one succeeded in bringing Dory to the ground. "Hold on to him, Angy, and I will soon fix him so that he will keep quiet."
Dory struggled till he found that resistance was useless; and then he submitted, though his spirit chafed violently at the necessity. He realized that he was only one against two, taken by surprise at that, and he could do nothing. He lay upon the wet ground till his captors had bound his arms behind him, and then they assisted him to his feet.