Just then the hideous and fiery death's-head made a circuit, and swung, grinning, into Riley's face, who could stand no more, but broke into a full run toward the river. At the same instant Jack tooted a dinner-horn, Judge Kane's big dog ran barking out of the log-house, and the enemy were routed like the Midianites before Gideon. Their consternation was greatly increased at finding their boats gone, for Allen Mackay had towed them into a little creek out of sight, and hidden the oars in an elder thicket. Riley and one of the others were so much afraid of the ghosts that "ha'nted" the old house, that they set out straightway for Greenbank, on foot. Pewee and the others searched everywhere for the boats, and at last sat down and waited for daylight. Just as day was breaking, Bob Holliday came down to the river with a towel, as though for a morning bath. Very accidentally, of course, he came upon Pewee and his party, all tired out, sitting on the bank in hope that day might throw some light on the fate of their boats. "Hello, Pewee! You here? What's the matter?" said Bob, with feigned surprise. "Some thief took our skiffs. We've been looking for them all night, and can't find them." "That's curious," said Bob, sitting down and leaning his head on his hand. "Where did you get supper last night?" "Oh! we brought some with us." "Look here, Pewee, I'll bet I can find your boats." "How?" "You give me money enough among you to pay for the eggs and the chicken you had for supper, and I'll find out who hid your boats and where the oars are, and it'll all be square." Pewee was now sure that the boat had been taken as indemnity for the chicken and the eggs. He made every one of the party contribute something until he had collected what Bob thought sufficient to pay for the stolen things, and Bob took it and went up and found Judge Kane, who had just risen, and left the money with him. Then he made a circuit to Allen Mackay's, waked him up, and got the oars, which they put into the boats; and pushing these out of their hiding-place, they rowed them into the river, delivering them to Pewee and company, who took them gratefully. Jack and Columbus had now made their appearance, and as Pewee got into his boat, he thought to repay Bob's kindness with a little advice. "I say, if I was you fellers, you know, I wouldn't stay in that old cabin a single night." "Why?" asked Jack. "Because," said Pewee, "I've heerd tell that it is ha'nted." "Ghosts aren't anything when you get used to them," said Jack. "We don't mind them at all." "Don't you?" said Pewee, who was now rowing against the current. "No," said Bob, "nor dough-faces, neither." CHAPTER XIX THE RETURN HOME As Mr. Niles's school-term drew to a close, the two boys began to think of their future.