The hired man ran off toward the barn.  Hardly had he disappeared when Sam gave a short cry and pointed into the field with his hand.

“I saw somebody raise up just now and look around,” he said.  “He is out of sight now.”

“Where?” came from Dick and Tom quickly.  “Over yonder by the twisted peach tree.”

“I’ll investigate,” said Dick.  “You can come along if you want to.  Keep your eyes open for both men.  We don’t want either to get away if we can help it.”

The three lads spread out in something of a semi circle and advanced slowly into the field, keeping their eyes and ears on the alert for anything out of the ordinary.  Thus they covered fifty yards, when Tom found himself near one of the largest of the peach trees.  As he passed this a form arose quickly from under a bough, caught him by the waist and threw him forcibly to the ground.

“Hi!” yelled Tom.  “Let up!” And then he made a clutch for his assailant, catching him by the foot.  But the man broke away and went crashing through the corn, calling on “Shelley” to follow him.

The yell from Tom attracted the attention of Dick and Sam, and they turned to learn what had happened to their brother.  As they did this a second man leaped up from the corn in front of them and started to run in the direction of the river.

“Stop!” called out Dick.  “Stop, or I’ll fire on you!” And then he discharged his pistol into the air as a warning.  The man promptly dodged behind a row of peach trees, but kept on running as hard as ever.

The Rover boys were now thoroughly aroused, and all three started in pursuit of the two men.  They saw the fellows leave the field and hurry down a lane leading to Swift River.

“I believe they are going to the river.  Maybe they have a boat,” said Tom.

“I shouldn’t wonder,” answered Dick.

“I wish they would take to a boat,” said Sam.  “We could follow them easily—­in Dan Bailey’s boat.”

“Hi, where are you?” came a shout from behind, and they saw Jack Ness returning.  “Your uncle and aunt want you to be careful—­they are afraid those villains will shoot you.”

“We’ll be careful,” answered Tom.  “But we are going to capture them if it can be done,” he added, sturdily.

The hired man had reloaded the shotgun and also brought some additional ammunition with him.  He was nervous and the boys could readily see that he did not relish continuing the pursuit.

“We can’t do nothin’ in the dark,” he grumbled.  “Let us wait till morning.”

“No, I am going after them now,” answered Dick, decidedly.

“So am I,” added Sam and Tom.

They were going forward as rapidly as the semi darkness would permit.  The ground was more or less uncertain, and once the youngest Rover went into a mud hole, splashing the mud up into Jack Ness’ face.

“Hi, stop that!” spluttered the hired man.  “Want to put my eye out?”