"Come, now, old man! Turn over your money, unless you want us
to frisk you for it!" continued a voice.

"There are your honest tramps, Dave," Prescott whispered.

Then his eyes flashed, for, by the light of the campfire the lads
saw the tramps seize frightened Reuben Hinman on either side and
literally turn him upside down, the old man's head hitting the
ground.

"Don't make any noise," whispered Prescott, "but we won't stand
for that!"

"We surely won't!" Darry agreed with emphasis.

"Come on, now---soft-foot!"

As the tramps jostled Mr. Hinman, upside down and yelling with
fright, a sack containing the peddler's money rolled from one
of the peddler's trousers pockets.

"Shake him again! There'll be more than that coming!" jeered
one of the tramps.

But just then they let go their hold of the old man, for Dick
Prescott and Dave Darrin rushed in out of the darkness, dealing
blows that sent the tramps swiftly to earth.

Yet the two high school boys were now doomed to pay the penalty
of not having scouted a bit before rushing in.