Potatoes were set to boil in a kettle. Embers were raked down
and corn still in the husks was set in the embers and covered
up to roast. Some of the girls sliced more tomatoes than the
whole party could eat. Cucumbers, too, were prepared.
Fish were broiled on grates over the fires. All was ready just
before dark.
Dick gave the launch man a hearty invitation to join them at supper,
the latter shaking his head, expressed his thanks and hurried
away.
What an appetizing meal it was! Nothing seemed to have gone wrong.
It was a merry party indeed that sat down around the tables.
Suddenly there came an interruption. "Camp! Oh, I say---camp!"
called a gruff voice from the road.
"Here!" called Dick, rising from the table. "Who is it?"
"Any girls there?" demanded the same voice.
"Several," Dick acknowledged.
"Having a picnic, are you?" demanded the strange voice.
"The best ever!" Dick replied heartily.
"Lots of fresh vegetables, too, eh?"
"Ye-es," Dick assented slowly, and with a peculiar feeling. He
recalled the laughing talk of the girls about "stealing," and
now wondered what was about to happen.
"I guess they're the girls I want, then," continued the voice
of the unseen speaker.
Dick & Co. felt a swift spasm of uneasiness, for that voice sounded
as though it might belong to the law.
A moment later a roughly dressed man moved down into the circle.
"My name is Dobson," said the new comer, looking hard at the girls.
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