“Ye can drive yerselves home,” he said. “An’ leave the turnout at Bennett’s stable. Tell him I’ll call for it to-morrow.” “Thank you, Mr. Dugan,” said Joe. “We’ll settle for the keeping, and get father to pay you——” “That’s all right, Joe. I want no pay. Your father is a fri’nd av mine. I’m sorry we didn’t catch the thramps, that’s all,” was Andy Dugan’s reply. It was not until nine o’clock at night that Joe and Harry drove into the town of Lakeport. All the stores were closed, but the livery stable was still open, and there they left the horse and carriage, as Andy Dugan had directed. It was but a short walk from the stable to the house. “I thought you would be back to supper,” said Mrs. Westmore, when they entered. “I kept everything hot for over an hour.” “We’ve had an adventure, mother,” answered Joe, and as the family gathered around he told his story. “Oh, Joe, weren’t you awfully scared!” cried Laura. “I don’t like tramps at all!” piped in little Bessie. “This is certainly an outrage,” said Mr. Westmore. “So the Dugans could find no trace of them after they got on the lake road?” “No.” “I must have one of the constables look into this, and I’ll notify Sheriff Clowes, too.” “You can be thankful that the tramps did not injure you,” said Mrs. Westmore, with a shudder. “Yes, I am thankful for that,” said Harry. “So am I, mother,” added Joe. “Just the same, I’m downright sorry to lose that watch and chain.” “Perhaps we’ll get on the track of it. If not, we’ll have to see what we can do about getting you another,” added the fond mother. The fact that Joe and Harry had been held up by tramps was speedily noised around the town, and for the next few days the authorities and several other people did what they could to locate the evildoers. But the tramps had made good their escape, and, for the time being nothing more was heard from them. But they were destined to turn up again, and in a most unexpected fashion, as the pages to follow will testify. Joe and Harry had many friends in Lakeport, boys who went to school with them, and who played with them on the local baseball and football teams. All of these were interested in the “hold-up,” as they called it, and anxious to see the tramps captured. “Glad it wasn’t me,” said one of the lads. “I’ve got a gold watch—one my uncle left when he died.” “Why didn’t you punch their heads?” questioned another, who had quite a reputation as an all-around athlete. “That is what I should have done.” “Yes, and maybe got killed for doing it,” came from a third. “Joe and Harry were sharp enough to escape with whole skins, and that is where they showed their levelheadedness.” The adventure had happened on Saturday, and Monday found the boys at school as usual. They were so anxious to get news concerning the tramps that they could scarcely learn their lessons, but as day after day went by without news, this feeling wore away; and presently the incident was almost forgotten.