Harry Castlemon

“ Tom almost shouted. "It is because Joe Wayring and his friends have gained Swan's ears, and stuffed him full of lies about us. Ugh! How I should like to see that boy taken down—clear down; as far as any body can go by land. Say," he added, after cooling off a little, "I am ready to give up the guns now. Matt Coyle may believe that Swan and his party found them at the time they found Wayring's canoe, and he may not. At any rate, I do not like to take the risk of his jumping down on our camp some dark night and finding them here. ”

“ Matt went on, furiously. "But if you do bring one on 'em with you, I'll tell him that you was knowin' to my stealin' of that canvas canoe."
"What's the use of lashing yourself into a tempest for nothing?" said Tom, coolly. "You can hide in the bushes, and if you see any one with me you need not come out. I'll be here at seven o'clock, and when you put those two guns into my canoe I will put fifty dollars in greenbacks into your hand. ”

“ The others agreeing, and a bountiful dinner having been disposed of, the three boys stepped into their canoes and set out for Indian Lake, taking the guns with them. A more astonished and delighted man than Mr. Hanson was when they walked into his office and laid the cases upon his desk Tom and his cousins had seldom seen; but the language in which he expressed his gratitude for the service they had rendered him almost made Tom wish that he had held fast to the guns a little longer. ”

“ I saw through your game at once. Your object was to get me ashore and rob me. You would have committed a State's prison offense; but I shall not say any thing about it unless you wag your tongue too freely about me. ”

“ Hanson, as the boys turned away from the desk. "The gentlemen who own these guns are not the only ones benefited by your lucky find. You have saved me the loss of a good deal of patronage, and I wish to make you some return for it. Whenever you want any supplies, go to the store-house and get them. They shan't cost you a cent."
Thanking the landlord for his liberality, Tom and his companions left the hotel and walked slowly through the grounds toward the beach. ”

“ Things is gettin' too public around Rube's house to suit us, an', besides, we don't think he's the friend to us that he pertends to be; so we're goin' to take to the bresh, an' there we're goin' to stay. ”