rising.

He saw the three roughs looks quickly toward each other, and noted
that one of them had slipped between him and the boat, as though
it might be their intention to prevent his leaving.

It was evident that there was trouble brewing, and unless it was
nipped in the bud something of a fight would take place.

That they would stand no show whatever in the hands of these
rascals, alone as they were in this isolated place, Maurice knew
full well, but he would not allow himself to show any sign of fear
lest in this way he precipitate the trouble.

Perhaps these men had been watching them for some time, and knew
there were only a couple of boys on the shanty-boat, so that it
would be useless to call out as if several husky men constituted
the crew.

Maurice did not wish to come within arms' length of the negro who
had slipped between himself and the boat, lest the fellow seize
upon him, so that he was in a quandary how to act in order to gain
his haven of refuge.

The puzzle was solved in a way he had not anticipated, for just as
the wicked-looking black tramp was putting out his hand to grasp
him, as he pulled back, a voice broke upon the silence, the voice
of his comrade Thad, saying:

"I'd be mighty careful how I laid a hand on that boy, you there!"