CHAPTER VIII.
ON THE LAKE AGAIN.
"Peterson!" cried Tom, in dismay.
"Can he be dead?" came from Sam. Then he bent over the lumberman. " No, he still lives. But he has been treated most shamefully."
"This must be some more of Arnold Baxter's work."
"Or else the work of some footpad."
Both boys knelt over the prostrate form of the lumberman and did what they could to restore him to his senses.
In this they were partly successful.
"Don't hit me again! Please don't hit me!" the man moaned, over and over again.
"You're safe," said Tom. But Peterson paid no attention, and only begged them not to hit him.
"Let us carry him to the Swallow," suggested Sam, and between them they did so.
"Wot's dis?" asked Aleck Pop. in astonishment.
"He is our friend, and has been struck down,"
