"Let up!" And then he made a clutch for his assailant, catching him by the foot.

But the man broke away and went crashing through the corn, calling on "Shelley" to follow him.
The yell from Tom attracted the attention of Dick and Sam, and they turned to learn what had happened to their brother.

As they did this a second man leaped up from the corn in front of them and started to run in the direction of the river.
"Stop!" called out Dick.

"Stop, or I'll fire on you!" And then he discharged his pistol into the air as a warning.

The man promptly dodged behind a row of peach trees, but kept on running as hard as ever.
The Rover boys were now thoroughly aroused, and all three started in pursuit of the two men.