"Hello! what's the matter?" exclaimed Frank, starting up.

"I don't know, but I can give a pretty good guess," remarked
Bones; and then elevating his voice, he shouted:

"What d'ye want, Ralph?"

"Better drop over here, please!" came the reply.

"He's in some sort of trouble," suggested Frank, judging from the
half apologetic tone of his chum.

"Yes, and I expect stuck in the ooze of the marsh, worse luck!"
grunted Bones.




CHAPTER XIV

THE DANGERS OF THE MUCK HOLE


"Where are you?" called Bones, as he and Frank pushed forward in
the gathering dusk.

"Here! Be mighty careful, fellows, or you'll get in too!" came the
answer, not far away.