So Thad shrugged his shoulders, and dragging the little ferry-boat over the twenty feet of water he pulled himself ashore. It was easy to locate the chopper by the sounds that arose; and so he soon joined his mate, ready to spell him in the labor entailed by the necessity for fuel. The wood burned so quickly, with a strong draught always causing the stove to roar, that large quantities of fuel were absolutely necessary. Both boys handled an ax first-rate, and indeed, Thad could equal many an experienced woodsman in the accuracy of his strokes; while Maurice was not far behind him. When the chance came, and Maurice stopped for a breathing spell, the second relay came into action; and once more the chips flew as the fallen oak branches were cut into stove lengths. By the time it came Thad's turn again to rest he wandered off, much to the amusement of Maurice, who knew whither his thoughts must be roving. Just as he swung the ax above his head for a downward stroke he received an electric shock. Thad was calling his name, calling in an excited tone, too, as if there was dire need of the other's presence. "Bring the gun! bring the gun!" That seemed to be the tenor of the shouts; and as he dropped his tool Maurice swooped up the Marlin, which was standing against an adjoining tree, and jumped for the river bank. He knew that whatever had happened Thad wanted him at the water's edge; and it was in that direction he hastened as fast as his legs could carry him. Twice in his haste he fell down, tripping over trailing vines; for the continued shouts of his chum startled him. And when he burst out of the thicket, to stand on the river bank, close to where Thad was yelling, this was what he saw: A row-boat was speeding down the river, urged on by the lusty movements of a red-headed man who was sitting in it; Thad danced about on the deck of the swamp, pointing after the fleeing party, and calling on Maurice to "give him both barrels, the thief!" But Maurice knew that it was useless, since the other was by this time out of range, and the gun contained only small shot. Nevertheless, urged on by the frantic appeals of Thad he did level the Marlin, and bang away, though he saw the man duck down before the reports came. After the bombardment was over the redhead again poked into view, and the fugitive made a movement with his hand to indicate his poor opinion of such useless business. Maurice, fearing the worst, began to drag the boat in to shore. Dixie, having been drawn from his prowling around in search of game by the shouts and shots, leaped in even before the little dinghy had reached the bank. By the time Maurice climbed out on the deck Thad seemed to have recovered from his excitement to some extent. "Didn't I tell you I saw a face, and wasn't it a sorrel-top, too? Mebbe you'll believe me next time, my boy," he said, impressively.