"Somebody in the bushes," said another.
The two men scrambled to their feet and came directly toward the boys. Jack and Joe took to their heels, but Frank waited to help Chet up and the delay was fatal. The tramps came crashing through the bushes and caught sight of them.
"Kids, eh?" roared one. He sprang toward Frank and caught him by the shoulder. The other seized Chet. Joe and Jack were out of sight beyond the trees by now and the tramps were evidently unaware of their presence.
"Take your hands off me," said Frank coolly.
Somewhat taken aback, the tramp regarded him for a moment in a surly manner.
"What do you mean by spying on us?" he demanded.
"We weren't spying on you."
"What brings you around here, then?"
The other tramp had abandoned the pail of stew at the fire and came through the bushes toward them.
"What's the matter?" he asked. "What's goin' on here?"
"A couple of kids spyin' on us," said Frank's captor, and tightening his grip on the boy's shoulder.
"We oughta skin 'em alive," declared the
