“Yes,” observed Thad, with a shrug of his shoulders, “and he meant to drop that big dornick on your head, because you had the gun.  Then, while I was stunned with surprise, I reckon he expected to let go and jump me.  I’m not a bit sorry that Jeff is going to get his medicine.  If ever a man’s face told his character his does.  And ten to one he’s a big bully, and a wife beater, at home.”

“But how did you happen to get on to his trick, for it was you who first discovered him sitting there, and told the rest?”

“Well,” said Thad, reflectively.  It just happened, that’s all.  When you said how we ought to hold up our hands—­”

“Hold on; it was you spoke about that same thing first,” corrected his chum.

“Well, you were the first to do it, and when I followed suit, seemed as if my eyes followed my hands up like I wanted to see that I did it the same as you.  That was the luckiest thing ever, for you see I just happened to spy him move his leg.  Looked like he was kind of afraid that he might be seen, and was hitchin’ along to get behind more leaves.”

“But you didn’t say anything right away, Thad?”

“Just couldn’t, that’s why; I was so knocked slabwise and full of laugh.  But I knew I ought to let that sheriff into the secret, ’cause he was so mighty anxious to grab some feller.  So I opened up.  My!  But didn’t Jeff come down quick?” and now Thad chuckled over the recollection of that hurried descent.

“He just had to; because, you see, he was afraid all the time one of the boys might take a notion to shoot.  But as the thing is all over, suppose we shove along,” suggested Maurice.

“Good.  My mind is easy now, with that sneaker out of the way.  What d’ye suppose Jeff meant to do?” asked the other, as he fell in at the side of his chum when Maurice started off.

“Rob us, that’s clear.  He saw that money, all right, when he peeked in at the window of the shanty-boat, and was wild to get it.  Then, after his bully little rush when we were ashore, to find that he had been fooled made him madder than a wet hen; and this time he wanted to make sure.”

Thad drew a long sigh, but made no answer.  His thoughts were doubtless serious enough, as he recollected that heavy stone which Jeff had not dared drop while descending from the tree; also the ugly look of the desperado’s face.

Just as Maurice had predicted, the country began to assume a more cheerful appearance after they had left the swamp behind.  It was not long before they came to a cabin, where the smoke was rising above the low roof and several dirty-faced children played before the door, where several lean hogs were grunting in the mud.

“Is this George’s place?” queried Thad, in some dismay; for somehow he had been mentally picturing a far different scene.

“I reckon not.  I was told that his wife was a superior woman, who once on a time used to teach school.  She wouldn’t be apt to let her youngsters look like this, even if money was scarce.  Wait up, and I’ll put the question.”