CHAPTER XXVI 

THE BAXTERS TRY TO MAKE TERMS 

For the moment after Tom found himself in the presence of the Baxters he could not speak. Then he turned fiercely upon Bill Noxton. 

"You have fooled me!" he cried hotly. 

"That's right," laughed Noxton sarcastically. 

"And let me add, ye was fooled putty easy." 

"It's Tom Rover!" ejaculated Dan Baxter, as he leaped to his feet, followed by his parent. "Where did you find him, Noxton; over to that fire?" 

"Yes." 

"Were the others of the party with him?" put in Arnold Baxter quickly. 

"No, he was alone. He got lost from the rest last night, when they gave us the slip in the dark." 

"Then you have seen nothing of the others?" said Arnold Baxter, and it was plain to see that he was keenly disappointed. 

"No, but I reckon they can't be far off," replied Noxton. 

Seeing that Tom contemplated running away, he made the youth dismount. "Better make a prisoner of him," he suggested. 

"By all means!" cried Dan Baxter, and brought forth a stout lariat. With this Toni's hands were bound behind him, and his feet were also secured. 

"That's number one, Roebuck," laughed Arnold Baxter, turning to the man who had thus far remained silent. 

"Tom Rover?" asked the man laconically. 

"Yes." 

"A bright-looking chap." 

"Oh, he's bright enough," growled Baxter senior. 

"But it won't help him any," put in Dan, bound to say something. 

"Is he the oldest of the three?" 

"No, Dick is the oldest. Tom comes next." 

Answer this series of questions:

1. Who fooled Tom?
2. What did Bill say when Tom yelled at him?
3. What is Tom's last name?
4. Had he seen the others?
5. Why was he alone?
6. Who's hands were tied?
7. What else was tied?
8. What number was it?
9. Who pointed out that he was smart enough?
10. Who is older?

Numbered answers:
1. Bill Noxton
2. "That's right,"
3. Rover
4. No
5. He got lost from the rest
6. Toni's
7. his feet
8. one
9. Baxter senior
10. Dick