CHAPTER XXVIII. 

THE BAXTERS TALK IT OVER, 

"Tom, we are in a fix." 

"So it would seem, Sam. Who ever dreamed of running across the Baxters in this fashion?" 

"We are in the hands of a trio of rascals now, for Crabtree is as bad as the others." 

"Perhaps, but he hasn't the nerve that Arnold Baxter has. What shall we do?" 

"Try to get free." 

"I can't budge an inch. Dan Baxter took especial delight in tying me up." 

"I can move one hand and if--It is free! Hurrah!" 

"Can you get the other hand free?" 

"I can try. The rope--that's free, too. Now for my legs." 

Sam Rover worked rapidly, and was soon as free as ever. Then he ran over to where Tom was tied up and liberated his brother. 

"Now, what shall we do?" 

"I move we go after the people on that steam tug and get them to help us rescue Mrs. Stanhope." 

"That's a good idea, and the quicker we go the better." 

Sam remembered very well in what direction he had seen the tug, and now set a straight course across the island to the cove. 

But the trail led over a hill and through a dense thicket, and long before the journey was half finished both lads were well-nigh exhausted. 

"We ought to have followed the shore around--we would have got there quicker," panted Tom, as he fairly cut his way through the dense brush- wood. 

"I hope there are no wild animals here." 
What did they remove?
fairly cut his way through the dense brush- wood. 
