I would have escaped but for one thing. Just as I started to run, Avery flashed the lantern full upon me. It was a purely accidental movement, but it revealed me to both him and Yates. “There is the boy now!” he exclaimed. “Where?” cried Mr. Norton. “Down here! Stop! stop!” he yelled, and dashed after me. Yates followed, and so did my guardian as soon as he could descend. I had a fair start, and was just congratulating myself upon getting away, when I ran up against one of the rocky mounds scattered all over the island. I looked around to the right and to the left for a way to escape, but discovered none. Then I attempted to scale the rocks, but had hardly got halfway to the top when Avery caught me by the foot. “Let go!” I cried. “Not much I won’t!” he responded. “Come down here.” I tried to kick him, and did so, though not very hard. Then he gave a strong pull, and I came down in a heap. “You can’t come it over me,” he cried. He had landed directly on top of me; but I began to squirm at a lively rate, and he soon saw that he would not be able to hold me. “Lie still, or I’ll give you a crack on the head!” “I won’t be still,” I returned. “Let me up!” “Quiet, I tell you. Hurry up!” he called to the others. “We’re coming,” they cried. “Have you got him?” added Mr. Norton anxiously. “Yes; but he’s three handsful to handle.” “We’ll be there in a second.” By this time I had squirmed to one side, and managed by hard work to partly raise myself. Seeing this, Avery gave me a stinging blow on the side of the head. The crack made me see stars, and I fell back. But I did not lose my presence of mind, and I returned the blow with interest. It seemed to surprise the fellow, for he burst into a loud laugh. “Well, you are a plucky chap, and no mistake!” he exclaimed. “However, all this struggling of yours won’t do you any good. I’ve handled too many men to be outdone by a boy.” I wrenched myself loose, and sprang to my feet. He was after me, and in a trice I was again on my back. In falling my head struck a rock. The bump stunned me for the instant, and it raised a big lump besides. I essayed to get away again; but my head was in a whirl, and finally I was forced to abandon the struggle. “Now we’ve got you,” he panted. I made no reply, and presently Yates and Mr. Norton came up. “Ha, Reuben, you rascal, you thought you would be smart, did you?” said Mr. Norton, as he grasped me by the shoulder. “What do you intend to do with me?” I asked, as coolly as I could, though I was both excited and out of breath. “You’ve been spying on us, haven’t you?” said Yates. To this I made no reply. “How long have you been on the island?” questioned my guardian. “I shall not tell you,” I replied firmly. “I say you will!” he ejaculated, getting angry at once. I remained silent. “Are you going to tell me?” I wiped the perspiration from my brow and adjusted my clothes. “Do you hear me, Reuben?” he stormed.