the reason why all decided to go there for assistance.

Lieutenant Driscoll was in command at the fort and he could be counted
on to bring the smugglers to terms.

"Why, it's the most high-handed piece of knavery I've heard of for
many a long day!" he exclaimed when the information formation was
brought to him by Vinton and the others. "Those scoundrels must have
their nerve, all right, to kidnap a young fellow merely because they
didn't want him to tell tales!"

"It's an outrage!" agreed Norton emphatically. "But we've got to get
busy right away, Lieutenant. What are we going to do about it?"

"You're right. We must lose no time," replied Driscoll directly.
"We'll set out this very hour and invade the haunts of gang. They're
not many miles from here, I'm told, hiding in the Everglades. Come
with me; I'll have my men ready in half an hour.

"You boys'll go along, of course," he added. "If we have to pitch
camp for a night or two, while we're hunting them, we'll need you
for signalers or scouts, or for picket duty."

"Picket duty?" echoed Chester.

"Yes, both in camp and along the line of march. I presume you all
are willing to serve?"

"Yes, sir; we certainly are!" came the eager chorus. Then, abashed
at their lack of military formality, the speakers saluted in more