Frank walked away toward the tent, and directly, while Bradley's face
was in clear outline, Ned heard the click of a shutter and knew that
the snapshot had been made.
When Bradley at last started away Ned called the boys together and
asked them if it wouldn't be a good idea for them to take a prisoner--
just to equalize things!"
"Bradley?" asked Frank and Jimmie in chorus.
"That's the man" laughed Ned. "Do you think you could head him off
and hide him in some out-of-the way hole in the ground?"
"What for?" demanded Jack. "I don't see what you want to do that
for."
"Just for the fun of it!" Jimmie exclaimed. "I'll guard him after he
is taken!" he added, with an appealing look at Ned.
"Well," Ned went on, nodding at Jimmie, "I have an idea that if two
of you work down the slope and come out ahead of him you can coax him
to throw up his hands easily enough."
"Then, after that, if you leave it to me," Jack continued, "you'll go
down to the cabin and get the prince and start away with him!"
"You're sure it is the prince?" asked Ned.
"Of course! I should think any one with sense could see that. Just
see how suspiciously the kid is watched! Of course, if you want to
take the abductor along too, why that will be all right, but I'd get
the prince first!"
"That's good advice," Ned declared, seeking to conciliate the boy,
"and I'll go down to the cabin now and look after that end of the
game!"
"If things work this way," laughed Oliver, "I guess we _will_ get
away to-morrow!"
"Why don't you let me go with the boys and help capture that stiff?"
asked Jack, speaking to Ned.
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