trouble they had taken for nothing! And after all, it was so easy to
give them good measure, brimming full, and running over. So he groaned
three times in rapid succession, just as if the troubled spirit might be
getting impatient.

He heard exclamations of renewed alarm from the pitch darkness; for
clouds shut out what little light might have come from the heavens
above.

"Let's get out of this, boys!" Ted was heard to say.

"Hurry, hurry! I thought I saw something moving right then! Be quick,
fellows!" Amiel Toots exclaimed, in thick accents, as though his fright
had become such as to seriously interfere with the working of his vocal
cords.

Max waited no longer. He knew that the boat, drifting down with the
current, was now exactly opposite to him. He heard the splash of the
oars striking the water; although in their haste and clumsiness the
three Carson boys were in danger of upsetting their craft while trying
to turn so quickly.

Max pressed the trigger of his little flashlight pistol. Instantly a
dazzling light sprang forth, blinding the eyes of the three in the boat
just as if they had met with a bolt of descending lightning.

Then it was gone, as quick as that, leaving the darkness of the night
more noticeable than before. Max was satisfied with his work. He heard
cries of horror break forth from Ted Shafter and his two cronies. Amiel
Toots even started to crying like a big baby, he was so badly