"Yes," Tom nodded, "but we won't light it unless we need it.
Just for finding our footing at some dark part of the road the
electric flash light will do."

Full of anxiety the trio set out on their search.

But in the meantime, what of Dick and Dave?

Theirs had been a busy evening. After the first rough pummeling,
which left them breathless and sore, the tramp who had directed
the rough work turned to his friends of the road.

"These young gents have furnished us with some exercise," he grinned
wickedly. "Now, suppose we make 'em supply us with a little amusement?"

"It's risky, close to the road," returned one of the tramps who
had been back in the shadows. "We don't know when someone will
come along and butt in on our sport."

"Two of our crowd can go out as scouts," replied the ringleader.

"They'd better," nodded the adviser, "and even then we'd better
take the cart, the old man and these young gents further back
into the woods."

Neither Dick nor Dave had said anything so far, for they were
too sore, and too much exhausted.

At the leader's command two men went down to the road, to watch
in both directions.