On the paper, which seemed to be a leaf torn from a pocket account book, were scrawled the following words: "You fellers Haid better git erway Frum Devul irelan in a Blame big Hurry or you will git used the saim as frank Merryfull did. you wunt Naver se no moar of Him." "That settles it!" said Diamond, bitterly. "Frank is done for this time! They have finished him--the devils!" "Well, they'll never drive me away from this island till I have found out how they did it and who they are!" vowed Hodge. "Right here I swear I will spend the rest of my life in avenging Merry, if it is necessary." "I am with you!" "And I!" "Yaw! Me, too!" They shook hands on it, with bared heads. Never were four lads in more deadly earnest. The sun was low in the western sky, tinting the rippling waters with golden light. The scene was a peaceful one, and it did not seem possible that an awesome and appalling tragedy had taken place on that quiet little island that day. Despite their determination, the boys were stunned and at a loss to know what was to be done. They entered the boat and rowed off to the yacht. It was plain no one had visited the _White Wings_ while they were away, for nothing on board was molested. Hans was hungry, but he was the only one of them all who seemed to have any appetite. They did not talk much, but all were thinking, and the Dutch boy cried softly over the food he ate. Little had they dreamed when they started out on the cruise that anything so terrible could happen and that they would be so completely dazed and bewildered. Their hearts were full of sorrow, but on their faces were looks of resolution that told they did not mean to be driven away till they had fulfilled their oath. The sun went down redly in the west and tinted twilight crept over the water. In the woods on shore darkness gathered swiftly. They stared away toward those woods, as if watching for the appearance of their missing friend. All at once Jack caught hold of Hodge, hissing: "Look there!" "Where?" "Down toward the point. See--back in the shadows beyond the two pines! Can you see them there?" "I see something." "Two figures?" "Yes." "I saw them move--saw them come out of the woods. They are men, and they are watching us!" "That's right." "And one of them is that snake, the little man in gray!" "I believe it!" "I know it! Get a rifle, Hodge!" "What would you do?" "Shoot him!" panted the hot-blooded Virginian. "Get a rifle! I will put a bullet through the villain!" Although hot-blooded and reckless himself Bart realized that Diamond must not do anything of the kind. But he did not find it necessary to reason with Jack, for the two men turned and disappeared into the woods. "They're gone!" exclaimed the Virginian, regretfully. "But they may come back again. We must keep a close watch to-night. There is no telling what desperate deed they may attempt." So the night was divided into watches, and each lad took his turn on deck.