CHAPTER IX.

THE BOYS FACE TROUBLE.


"Phew! looks as if we are in for trouble," exclaimed Tom, as he saw
the warlike expression on the farmer's face.

"It does that," agreed Jack. "Hop out, will you, Tom, and get that
grapple clear? Confound it, I don't see how it came loose."

"Wore through the lashing," said Tom, who had been examining the place
where the big hooked steel anchor was usually tied.

"We ought to have seen to it before we started out," said Jack. "We
haven't had it loose since that time we anchored above the Brazilian
forest."

The farmer's angry voice hailed them from below.

"Hey there! Don't yew move a foot till we've had a reck'nin'."

"I am awfully sorry," said Jack. "It was an accident you see. We----"

"Don't care what it was. Thet thar was a new roof. Don't you move a
step till Si here gits ther constabule."

"We'll pay you for the roof," said Jack apologetically. "After all it
isn't much damaged."