“We’ll take a chance,” decided Tom. “We’re off his property now, and he can’t touch us. We can defy him, and all he can do is to call names. They won’t hurt us.” “He can shoot!” exclaimed Dick, remembering the gun. “I don’t believe he’d dare,” was Tom’s opinion. “Anyhow, our boat’s just around that bend, and we can soon reach it. Slow up, fellows,” he added. They did, when it was evident, from careful listening, that the hermit had either given up the pursuit, or was coming on so slowly that they could easily distance him by a spurt. And, as Tom had said, they had left their boat around the next bend of the river bank. “Whew!” exclaimed Bert, wiping his face with his handkerchief, “that was warm work while it lasted.” “And we didn’t really find out anything,” added Jack. “No, but we will!” exclaimed Tom, with conviction. “I’m not going to give up so easily.” “Hurray!” cheered Jack. “Never say die! Don’t give up the ship! Bravo, Tom!” “And we’re all with you,” added Dick, who had never before participated in such exciting adventures. They had slowed down to a walk now, and Jack felt the relief to his injured leg, which was not so nearly healed as he had hoped. There were no further sounds of pursuit, and they all breathed easier, even though they realized that the hermit would have no right to attack them, as they were on neutral ground. “I wish we hadn’t eaten all our lunch!” sighed Dick, as they neared the place where they had tied their boat. “I guess there is some left, in one of the lockers,” spoke Tom. “I brought along a little extra supply, for I thought we might be hungry on the way back.” “Bless you for that my son,” exclaimed Jack, half tragically. “I, too, would fain pick a morsel.” “It’ll be a mighty small morsel,” laughed Tom, “for I didn’t pack much.” “Anyhow we can sit in the boat and rest,” said Bert. “I’m fagged out.” “I guess we all are,” declared Tom. He was in the lead, and, as he neared the clump of bushes on the bank, that hid his boat from view, he quickened his pace. The others pressed on after him, and, a moment later they heard a surprised exclamation from Tom. “What’s the matter?” called Jack. “Did you hurt yourself, old man?” “No, but look here, fellows, our boat is gone!” “Gone!” “The boat gone!” “Isn’t she there?” In turn Jack, Dick and Bert gave voice to these words. “It’s clean gone!” gasped Tom. The three chums pressed close to his side and all four gazed at the spot where the _Tag_ had been tied. She was not there, and a glance down the stream did not disclose her. “Gone!” exclaimed Jack. “It can’t be possible.” “But it _is_ possible!” exclaimed Tom. “Can’t you see that she isn’t here?” “Maybe this isn’t the place where you tied her,” suggested Dick. “Certainly it is. This is the very old stump that I wound the rope about.” “Maybe it came untied and the boat drifted away,” was Jack’s contribution.