“We’re only obeyin’ orders,” was the surly reply.  “We were told to come fer these logs.”

“Who told ye?”

“Nick Taftie.  We’re workin’ fer him.”

“H’m, I thought so.  Worked fer him last year at the same job, eh?”

“Yes.”

“How many of yez are there?” the captain enquired.

“Three.  Pete Simons, the engineer, is on board.”

“Well, then, ye jist tell Pete to drop anchor, and tumble in there with yez.  If yez try any foolin’, I’ll shoot.”

“But what are ye going to do?” one of the men demanded.  “We can’t stay here.”

“Never mind what I’m goin’ to do; ye’ll find that out in plenty of time.  It’s not a bad place to stay, after all.  Yez won’t starve, and I shan’t shoot so long as yez behave yerselves.  Hurry up, and give Pete his orders!”

The engineer had heard every word which had been spoken.  At first he was tempted to steam away, and leave his companions to their fate.  But he knew that he could not very well steer the tug and handle the engine at the same time.  He, therefore, decided to remain.  It took him only a few minutes to run out the anchor, and join his companions, as they backed their boat to the stern of the tug.

“Now pull fer the shore,” the captain ordered.  “Don’t try to git away from me.  At the first sign I’ll shoot.”

Rod rowed the tender, while the captain with his rifle across his knees kept his eyes fixed upon the three men in the other boat.  When a short distance from the shore, the captain commanded them to stop, and hand over their oars.  This they reluctantly did, and waited to see what would happen next.

“Got an anchor on board?” the captain asked.

“Yes, a small one,” was the reply.

“Well, out with it then, and don’t pull it up till yez receive orders.”

CHAPTER XXVI

THE BEST “GOOD TURN”

There was great excitement throughout Hillcrest over the capture of the log-stealers.  In a short time everybody knew how the scouts had kept watch during the night, and how the three tug-boatmen were forced to remain in their anchored boat, with the captain guarding them while the scouts went for the magistrate and constable.  There was a feeling of satisfaction that this had been so successfully accomplished, as it would no doubt put an end to such contemptible business in the future.

It was only natural that the trial should arouse unusual interest.  It was held in the large public hall, and the building was packed with eager and curious spectators.  Nick Taftie, the unscrupulous business man, was present.  He had tried to get away across the border into the United States, but had been caught and forced to attend the trial.  Everything was against him.  The three boatmen told of the many logs they had stolen for him during other years.  Taftie’s lawyer fought hard and long, but all in vain.  The evidence was too strong against him, and he was convicted.  He was condemned to a term in Dorchester Penitentiary, and in addition, he had to settle for all the logs he had stolen from people along the river.  The three boatmen were let off with a fine and a warning.