The small guide steered the boat into the mouth of a tiny creek as skillfully as if it had been noonday, and when her bow grounded motioned for Jet to step ashore.
Then he followed the example and hauled her farther up to prevent any possibility of the craft's drifting away, after which he stood motionless as if awaiting orders.
"How far from here do you count on camping?" Jet asked, in a cautious whisper.
"A short bit straight back is a thick clump of cedars. We could stay there a month without being seen, no matter how many people might come on the lake."
"Take hold of the fellow's feet, and I'll carry his head. He'd better be taken care of first."
Jim obeyed, and thus loaded down led the way to the place he had described.
It was, indeed, just such a spot as Jet would have asked for.
The cedars, with their branches growing to the very ground, covered about fifty square feet of space, and through the center of this apparently impenetrable thickness ran the stream at whose mouth the boat had been brought.
It would not have been possible to put up a decently-sized shanty, because the trees were so near together; but there was ample opportunity for a hundred boys to find comfortable places in which to sleep, and the foliage would shelter them sufficiently well except in case of a rainstorm.
Although it hardly seemed necessary, Jet insisted that the prisoner should be made fast to one of the trees in a sitting posture, and not until this had been done was the balance of the work attended to.
First the provisions were carried into the natural camp, and stored in the center, then the other goods were cared for in the same manner, and nothing but the boat remained to mark their landing.
"It's goin' to be a hard job; but she's got to come here too," Jim said, when they stopped for a moment to rest.
"Do you think we can do it?"
"Oh, yes, she isn't so heavy but that we could take her around a carry, and I reckon it's to be done here."
"How long before the moon rises?"
"Somewhere about midnight."
"Then suppose we try to find out for certain if those camping on Dollar Island are the ones we want to keep in sight?"
"I'm willing if you say the word."
"Then come on. That fellow is safe enough, and we shall be just so much farther ahead with our work."
Jim led the way back to the boat, removed his shoes and stockings as a precaution against making a noise, Jet doing the same, and the two started, with the small guide paddling instead of rowing.
The faint glimmer of light served as a beacon, and toward it they advanced slowly until the boat's bow struck the shore.
Jim motioned for his companion to help him pull her up, and then stole through the woods as noiselessly as a shadow.
The gloom was so dense that it was necessary Jet should hold on to the leader's coat, otherwise they would speedily have been separated, and a watcher ten feet away could not have said a human being was passing.
Thanks to the fire-light, it was not a difficult matter for the two to go straight to the camp, and in a comparatively short time they were where it was possible not only to see the occupants, but to hear everything which was said.
Jet's spirits rose very high as he recognized the two he had followed so long, and now all previous discomforts and suffering were forgotten in the knowledge that he was once more carrying out Harvey's instructions to the letter.
The men had built quite a comfortable looking hut in the center of the island, where it would not be seen from the water, and near by was the boat, turned bottom-up as if they did not expect to use her for some time.
The fact that they allowed themselves a camp-fire at a time when it could be distinguished from a distance was probably owing to the fact that visitors seldom visited this particular lake after dark, since the absence of deer in the vicinity prevented hunters from scouring the banks with a jack light.
Both were ready for trouble, however, as could be told by the guns stacked within reach while they smoked and drank in front of the cheery blaze, and Jet was forced to admit to himself that these men could not be made prisoners with as much ease as in case of the other.
For some time the boys watched in silence, mentally jotting down all the details of the camp for future reference, and then Sam said, with a yawn:
"This is what I call mighty dull sport."
"It ain't very lively, for a fact; but I reckon it's way ahead of what poor Joe's having."
"If it's so bad now what will it be in another week? I don't think I can stand it very long."
"There's nothin' to prevent your goin' any time you get ready; but here I stay for quite a spell."
"What about more liquor an' grub?"
"There won't be any trouble in getting all we want as long as the money holds out."
"And by fall you'll have bark on your back."
"Better that than a striped coat. It isn't so bad as you make out, though. We can move our camp whenever we feel like a change, an' then there's plenty of fishin' an' sich like that the swells call sport."
Sam's only reply was another prolonged yawn as he stretched himself out at full length, and Bob replenished the fire without moving from his seat.
Jet understood that it was time for them to take their departure.
When the men got ready to turn in for the night, one or the other might take a fancy to have a look around to make sure they had no unwelcome visitors, in which case the spies would be discovered.
Motioning Jim to follow his example, he started toward the shore, moving at a snail's pace to prevent a noisy disturbance among the foliage, and not until they were in the boat once more paddling toward the opposite bank did he feel at liberty to draw a long breath.
Arriving at the point from which they started, Jim insisted on carrying the boat to the clump of cedars, and this required so much time and labor that it was nearly midnight before they could seek the well-earned rest.
Even then Jet took pity on the prisoner, and removed the gag sufficiently long to give him food and water, the small guide standing over him with the cocked revolver, lest he should make an outcry.
"What are you boys countin' on doin' with me?" he asked, when his hunger and thirst had been appeased.
"Deliver you to the officers in a day or two."
"Am I to be kept trussed up in this fashion until then?"
"It's pretty rough, I know; but there's no other way out of it. You'd treat us the same or worse if the tables were turned, and we're bound to take care of ourselves."
"I don't reckon it would do any good if I was to swear I wouldn't so much as yip?"
"Not a bit, for we shouldn't dare run the risk you would break your word."
The prisoner had nothing more to say; but obligingly held his mouth open so that Jet might replace the gag, and after this had been done the boys wrapped themselves in their blankets, lying down in the softest spot they could find.
"How are we ever goin' to get the best of them fellers?" Jim whispered when they were ready to go to sleep.
"I don't know; but we must cook up some kind of a plan."
"Don't you think it would be better to send for the officers, an' let them do the job?"
"I'm afraid the fellows will make another move before anybody could get here. You heard what Sam said, and it shows he is so discontented that he'll be insisting on breaking camp very soon, unless he turns his back on this place entirely."
"That's all right enough; but at the same time I don't see that we can do anything without somebody to help us," Jim said, with a sigh, and then he rolled over as if determined not to rack his brain with the perplexing subject any longer.
Neither of the boys slept very soundly on this night. The fact of the prisoner in their midst, and the problem which they must solve shortly, prevented that feeling of restfulness which is necessary for profound slumber.
The sun had not yet risen when Jet awakened, shook Jim into consciousness, and made his toilet in the tiny stream which wound its way through the camp.
"We'll feed the prisoner the first thing, and then keep watch of the island," Jet proposed, and this task was performed as quickly as possible, neither captive nor jailors indulging in conversation during the operation.
There was to be no cooking, and the boys carried as much food as they thought would afford them a hearty meal to the edge of the water, they crouching behind the bushes with their gaze centered on the spot where they knew the camp to be located.
"Have you thought of anything?" Jim asked, while they were eating the not very palatable meal.
Jet shook his head despairingly.
Half an hour passed, and neither spoke.
Then both started as if electrified, for they saw both the men approaching the shore of the island nearest the main land.
"They heard us last night, and are comin' over here to see who has come," Jim whispered, his face growing pale.
It certainly looked as if he had guessed correctly, and Jet drew his revolver.
The men were carrying the boat between them, and on reaching the water launched it.
The distance was not so great but that a conversation carried on in an ordinary tone could be distinguished from one shore to the other, and the first words spoken by the fellows caused the greatest relief.
"Now, don't fool your time away up there," Bob said, sharply, as Sam took his seat in the boat and pushed her off.
"Why? Do you think this is such a pleasant place that I shouldn't lose the opportunity to stay here as many hours as possible?"
"I think that if you once begin drinking you'll get full, and five minutes afterward every loafer in the village will know we are hiding here."
"You must allow I'm a fool."
"So I do, or you'd be willing to stay twenty-four hours longer without liquor rather than run the first minute the bottle is empty."
"There would be jest as much risk to-morrow, as now, so what's the use waitin' with our tongues hangin' out when plenty can be got by takin' a short walk?"
"When shall I expect you?"
"Some time before mornin'. I'll start back within half an hour after I land."
"If you do that there'll be little harm come to us," and Bob disappeared amid the foliage while Sam rowed vigorously up the pond.
"There is no need of our trying to cook up a plan now," Jet whispered.
"Why?"
"Because it is all arranged. We must tackle Bob before Sam comes back."
Jim appeared thoroughly alarmed by his companion's bold statement.
He looked upon Bob as the most desperate of the three men, as really was the case, and the idea of a struggle with him seemed alarming; but yet he said nothing against the plan.
"What puzzles me is why they launched the boat on this side of the island? They had to bring her way across."
"Perhaps they have seen some one on the opposite shore, and don't care to let folks know where the boat started from."
"Do you suppose that fellow will call at our old camp?"
"I shouldn't be surprised; but it will be too late to do us any harm, unless he comes directly back with the news that we have made a change of base."
"You seem to think there isn't a question but we shall get the best of that fellow."
"I didn't say anything of the kind. We shall either have him prisoner, or be in the same fix ourselves in his camp by the time Sam gets back. Bob will take good care we are not in condition to trouble him again, if we fail this day."
"How are we to set about it?"
"In the same way as the other was taken. Trust to our chances of finding him asleep, or so far from his gun that he can't get at it until we have the drop on him."
"Don't you suppose he carries a revolver?"
"Of course he does."
"Then he'll be certain to shoot."
"This case is different from the other. There I had no right to fire; but here I should take the chances rather than let him kill me."
Jet was talking altogether too boldly to please the small guide, and he began to repent ever having consented to take part in such work.
"It won't do to call on our friend for some time, so let's go back to the thicket and make ready," Jet said, as he arose to his feet, and Jim followed like one who feels positive he is going to his doom.
Once inside the shelter of the trees, the amateur detective set about preparing for the work on hand.
He examined the revolver carefully, greased the lock with a bit of bacon rind, and assured himself that every part worked freely and correctly.
Then he loaded the gun with ball cartridge, and put half a dozen in his pocket. The bacon rind was also used with good effect, and, Jet said, as he slipped a couple of crackers in his coat:
"Now come on, Jim. We may as well sit there as here, and we shall know if he leaves the place."
"He can't unless he swims, for the other fellow has got the boat."
"I forgot that; but anyhow it won't do any harm to be ready. We'll carry the boat down to the bushes on the bank, and that will take some time."
The small guide obeyed.
The craft was taken as near the water as possible without exposing her to view in case Bob should look that way, and then the boys settled down for the last rest before the struggle.
"How long are we to wait here?" Jim asked.
"A couple of hours. He will have all his chores done up by that time, and there's more chance of finding him lying down."
"Why wouldn't it be as well to row around boldly, and make believe we've jest come for a visit? Then when he wasn't looking you could clap your revolver to his head."
"I'm afraid that wouldn't work. In the first place, he'd be pretty certain to recognise me in the daylight—you know my face was half-hidden in the shadow of the shanty when he called at the other camp. Then again I question if any visitors could catch him unawares after first showing themselves. He has reason to know there are a good many hunting for him, and is too old a bird to take chances."
Jim sighed. Almost any plan seemed to him preferable to trying to steal upon a fellow, who would be likely to shoot at the first alarm, and he had little faith in the ultimate success of the undertaking.
Jet waited patiently another hour, and then he said, as a look of resolution came over his face:
"We must start now. If he happens to see us rowing over we must pretend that we came to look at the island, and then get away as soon as possible. In case we land without his knowledge, the thing must be worked exactly as was the other: creep up till we see him, and take advantage of the first chance that offers."
"Shall I carry the gun?"
"No; here is the revolver, and be sure to use it if things get hot. We shall be fighting for our lives when we tackle him."
Jet took hold on one side of the boat, and Jim with an expression of despair on his face, cared for the other, launching the little craft without a splash.
The amateur detective motioned his companion to take up the oars, and then shoved off, leaping lightly on the stern-sheets where he could handle the tiller.
There was no attempt at conversation now, for the utmost silence was necessary if they would land without making their coming known to the man both feared.
Jet steered the boat under an overhanging tree, made the painter fast, and then crept softly onto the bank, leaving his companion to follow.
Since both the boys knew the exact location of the camp, their task was just so much the easier, and they crept cautiously along in a straight line, but keeping a close watch ahead lest Bob should suddenly appear.
Half an hour after landing they were where the shanty could be seen clearly; but its occupant was not in it.
Jet had begun to fear he might have circled around the island merely for the sake of walking, and would come up in their rear; but this cause for alarm was soon found to be groundless.
Jim espied the man lying under the shade of some trees, where he could have a full view of any who might pass, and pointed him out to Jet.
There was no chance to creep upon him as in the case of the other fellow, for he was unmistakably awake and on the alert.
"We shall have to wait until he changes his position," the boy whispered. "It won't do to tackle him yet a while."
Jim breathed more freely.
Any respite, however brief, was a great relief.
When ten minutes had passed, and there was no change in the position of affairs, Jet said:
"I'm going to creep around the hut, and try to get through the back. The guns are probably there, and it will be a big thing if we get hold of them."
"How long are you goin' to be gone?"
"I don't know; but in case I stay you can make up your mind that I've concluded to do the business there, and when he comes toward the shanty be on your feet ready to jump in the minute you hear my voice."
"Hadn't we better keep together?"
"If there's a good chance to hide, I shall wait and try to get the drop on him from the inside."
Then Jet started off as if fearing his companion might attempt to dissuade him from his purpose.
Bob was so far away that there was no reason for moving with such extreme caution, and he walked rapidly around through the underbrush until the hut was between himself and the man, after which he went boldly forward.
It was not a difficult matter to make his way into the shelter, constructed as it was only of brush, and he entered at once.
The hut was entirely enclosed on all sides, save where a narrow door-way had been left open, and Jet soon realized that he could ask for no better place to attempt the capture.
He found both guns in one corner, and these he carried out, hiding them under the leaves some distance away.
It was well he finished this work quickly, for he had hardly regained the shelter of the shanty when from between the branches he could see Bob rise to his feet, yawn wearily, and then come leisurely up the incline.
The decisive moment had arrived, and only by the greatest exercise of will power could Jet prevent his hands from trembling violently.
Gently pushing the muzzle of the gun through the brush which formed the side of the hut, the boy waited until the man should be within a few feet.
Bob came on in a lounging fashion, looking back every now and then as if undecided what to do, and thus approached the shanty in the exact direction which best served the purpose of his would-be captor.
Not until he was within a couple of yards did Jet shout, as he pushed the muzzle of the gun farther out and took careful aim:
"Hold up your hands, quick! I shall fire at the first move you make."
Bob obeyed instinctively, as any other man would have done in the same position, with that ominous-looking barrel almost touching him.
"Now, remember that the slightest movement will cost you your life, for I shall let both barrels go if you do more than wink. I know what your reputation is, and don't intend to take any chances. Where are you, Jim?"
"Here," was the prompt reply, and Jet saw the small guide coming rapidly from his place of concealment.
"Stand on one side of that fellow so you won't spoil my aim, and take his revolver away. Be quick, and don't fear his hurting you, for he can't make but one move."
Bob scowled fiercely; but did not dare to offer any resistance. Perhaps if he had known who was behind that gun the case might have been different; but there was every reason to believe an officer held it, and he could not afford to run any risk.
Jim searched the prisoner carefully, and then, when a revolver and a knife had been thrown into the camp, Jet said:
"Now, stand directly behind him with your revolver pressed to the back of his head, and pull the trigger if you feel him move ever so slightly."
Jim was beginning to regain his courage, and obeyed without hesitation.
The amateur detective now came into view, and Bob literally gnashed his teeth in rage.
"I wish I'd known it was you," he cried, savagely.
"Be careful or your head will move so much my friend will shoot; his hand trembles so now that there's danger your brains will be blown out unintentionally."
On first entering the shanty, Jet had seen plenty of ropes with which to bind the prisoner, and these he brought out, lashing Bob's arms behind his back, and tying his legs securely together.
During this last operation, the prisoner struggled most desperately, for Jim's revolver had been lowered in order that he might assist his companion, and before the boys finally got him under subjection they were reeking with perspiration, in addition to being nearly tired out.
"Well," Jim said, triumphantly, as he rose to his feet, "that part of the work was done as slick as grease, and at this rate it won't take us long to wind the whole gang up."
"I'm afraid the hardest job is ahead," Jet replied, as a most unaccountable fit of gloominess came over him. "You know the other makes the third one, and superstitious people believe a fellow always comes to grief on that number."
When Bob was fettered beyond his power to make any resistance he relapsed into a sullen silence, which troubled Jet more than reproaches or threats would have done.
He had expected to be overwhelmed with curses, and fancied the man would rave and struggle uselessly until he was completely worn out; but such was not the fact.
It was much as if Bob had suddenly conceived the idea of reserving his strength until the time should come when he could use it with effect.
He lay silent and motionless on the ground, and when Jet had prepared a gag he was even so complaisant as to open his mouth to receive it.
"S'posen we let up on his legs a little so's he can walk down to the shore," Jim suggested. "He's goin' to make a big load if we try to carry him."
This seemed to be a very good idea, and Jet acted upon it at once, saying to the prisoner:
"If you'll come along quietly we'll treat you the best we can under the circumstances."
Bob did not move.
"Get up," Jet said, in a louder tone, as if believing his first remark was not understood.
Bob shook his head, and there was no mistaking the look on his face as he did so.
He had no intention of aiding his captors in any manner, and if they claimed him as prisoner they must take him by sheer expenditure of strength or not at all.
"There's no use spending time trying to coax or drive him," Jet said, after a long pause. "If he won't walk we've got to carry him, and that's the end of it."
Jim, who had been examining the shanty while resting after the battle, discovered a hammock tucked away in one corner, and he proposed that this should be used as a litter, for the man could be conveyed more easily on something than if the boys raised him simply by the head and feet.
"Roll him in here, and we'll run this pole through the ends so all the weight will be on our shoulders."
This was done at once, and although the prisoner was bent nearly double when the density of the foliage forced the bearers to approach each other closely, the labor of removing him to the boat was greatly lessened.
"There's no chance Sam will be back until late in the night," Jet said, as Bob was deposited in the bottom of the craft with no gentle force, "so we can move about without fear of being discovered, and you might give us a hot dinner."
"We'll take our ease this day, an' that'll put us in better shape for tackling the other feller to-night. If he helps himself to the liquor as he comes down the lake we may have our hands full."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Jet replied, gloomily, and then, recovering himself as with an effort, he added: "There's no use borrowing trouble, however, and we should be mighty thankful we've succeeded so well in getting two of them."
"You can bet I am thankful," Jim replied, with such emphasis that Jet could not prevent himself from laughing heartily.
By this time Bob had been carried to the cedar thicket, and an expression of surprise came over his face as he saw the first prisoner; but Jet did not intend to allow them an opportunity to communicate with each other even by signs.
Bob was made fast to a tree at the farther end of the encampment, where he could not see his former companion, and then Jet went to the first prisoner as he said:
"If you will promise not to speak, I'll take the gag out of your mouth for a while, because we shall likely be here a long time."
There was an expression of deepest thankfulness in the fellow's eyes, and the amateur detective felt reasonably certain that he would not attempt to make any disturbance.
"Now, if I hear you so much as whisper, back it goes," he said, as he removed the uncomfortable preventive of speech.
"You needn't be afraid," was the meek reply. "I'll do anything rather than have that thing put in my mouth agin. How did you get hold of Bob?"
"Took him unawares, as we did you."
"Well, all I can say is, you fellers are corkers!"
This in a tone of admiration. "If any one had told me that a couple of boys could get the best of him, I'd said it was a lie, an' here you sneak off an' bring him in when you get ready."
"We shouldn't have done it if you'd found them."
"That's a fact; but you can't expect that a feller wouldn't help his pals."
"That's all right, since no harm has been done," Jet replied, feeling very magnanimous now he had been so successful.
The boy had every reason to feel proud of what had been accomplished. He had acted as Harvey wished, and, in addition, arrested the man so particularly wanted, with one of his companions.
Now if he could transfer them to the charge of an officer his triumph would be complete, and the detective have good reason to keep his promise relative to employing him as an assistant.
It was the fact of his having been successful, more than anything else, that caused Jet to fear the third attempt at capturing a man would be attended with signal failure, and several times during the day was he tempted to bundle the two into the boat, instead of waiting to make prisoners of all three.
He even went so far as to suggest this to Jim, saying:
"We could get up to the village with these fellows before morning, and I'm not sure it wouldn't be the best plan, for if Sam downs us these will be set free. Then all this work counts for nothing."
"Let's go the whole hog or nothing," the small guide replied, bravely, for he was rapidly beginning to think that he and Jet could accomplish anything they might attempt.
Then Jim set about cooking an elaborate dinner as a sort of thanksgiving.
The fire was built inside the thicket between the two prisoners, so that the boys might keep watch of both at the same time, and when the food had been prepared Detective Harvey's assistants set themselves down to enjoy it to the utmost.
Then it was necessary to feed the prisoners, a task which required considerable time.
Jim attended to the stranger, while Jet fed Bob, and the latter said, when his gag was removed:
"I reckon you're countin' on turnin' us over to the Albany officers."
"Yes, unless some one comes from New York."
"Ain't you the messenger boy I smuggled up on the boat?"
"Yes. I don't suppose you expected to see me again, eh?"
"I wish I'd done as Joe wanted me to. You could have been thrown over that night, and no one would have been any the wiser."
"Lucky for me you didn't know as much as you do now."
"You can well say that," was the surly reply, and during the next five minutes Bob paid strict attention to receiving the food which Jet held to his lips.
"I wonder if it would be any use to try an' buy you off?" the fellow said, half to himself, when the meal was finished.
"Not a bit; Joe tried that, but it wouldn't work."
"Are you the same boy who nabbed him?"
"Yes."
"It's hard, mighty hard, to be pulled by a cub like you," and Bob shook his head mournfully. "A feller expects something of the kind from a reg'lar officer, if it so be that he's put himself in the way of trouble; but it comes tough to be downed by a couple of whiffletts I could break all up with one hand."
"It does seem queer we should be able to do so much," Jet replied, modestly, and then he added: "If you give me your word as a man that not a word shall be spoken, and no noise made, I'll leave this gag out until sunset, otherwise, it must go in again."
"I'll agree, because you've got me foul."
"Very well; but if I hear so much as a whisper it will go in your mouth again, not to be taken out till the officers get here."
"I know when I'm licked," Bob growled, "an' don't need threats after I can't help myself."
During the remainder of the afternoon the boys had nothing to do save discuss the chances of taking Sam a prisoner, and when they were tired of this Jet suggested that each take a nap.
"From this out we shall have to keep our eyes open pretty much all the time, unless Sam succeeds in getting the best of us, and it will be a good idea to scoop in what rest we can now. You lie down first, and I'll stand watch."
The small guide was quite ready to act upon this suggestion, and it seemed as if he had but just rolled over on the blanket when his eyes were closed in slumber.
When the sun was an hour high Jet awakened his companion, and said, as he prepared to take his turn at sleeping:
"Be sure to call me at sunset, and keep your eyes on those fellows all the time. I don't reckon there's much chance of their being able to get free; but we mustn't run any risks."
His orders were obeyed to the letter, and the sun had but just sunk behind the trees when Jim shook him into wakefulness as he was instructed to do.
"I haven't seen so much as a boat," he said. "The men have been quiet as mice, sleeping a good deal of the time. When shall we start for the island?"
"As soon as we've had supper, and gagged the prisoners again. It won't do to let them have the chance of warning Sam."
"It ain't likely he'll get back before midnight."
"That's true; but in the meanwhile we have a good deal to do. The camp-fire must be lighted, to prevent him from being suspicious when he comes in sight of the island, and we need to look about a bit for a hiding-place."
"Have you made up your mind how we are to strike him?"
"I think it will be best to wait near the shore, and knock him down. If he comes back half-drunk he won't be likely to put up his hands very quickly, even if a revolver is at his head, and I don't want to shoot."
"You were willing enough to do so in Bob's case."
"That was different. Sam's crime isn't as serious."
"What's Bob accused of?"
"Murder."
"I swow!" and Jim looked around in alarm, even though the man was powerless to so much as move his hands. "If I'd known that I wouldn't have gone to help catch him for a hundred dollars."
"That is exactly why I didn't go into any particulars when we made the trade for you to help me," Jet replied quietly. "Now let's get our work done, and row over to the island for what I hope will be the last time."
The boys soon had their camp in order. The prisoners were gagged again; their bonds examined to make certain there could be no chance of an escape, and the smouldering remains of the fire carefully extinguished.
"I reckon everything will be safe if we are gone all night," Jet said, as he looked around for the last time to assure himself nothing had been forgotten; "but those fellows would have a pain in their jaws if we should stay so long."
Jim insisted on carrying his muzzle-loader on this expedition, believing it a more trustworthy weapon than the revolver, and Jet made no objections, although he would have much preferred that the ancient musket had been left behind.
The boys did not draw the boat upon shore when they landed with Bob, therefore they had nothing to do but step on board.
The small guide pulled her across to the hiding-place under the overhanging trees, and there she was made fast.
Then the boys went directly to the camp, and built a fire, after which nothing could be done save wait and watch.
Since it was not known on which side of the island Sam would come ashore, the two went to the extreme northern point where they could see the fellow in time to hasten back and get into ambush.
Jet's plans were already formed, and had been explained to his companion. He now said, as they sat among the bushes, waiting for the first sound which should betoken the coming of the man they hoped to make captive:
"I shall hit him over the head with the butt of the revolver, and the moment he drops you must be ready to jump on him, for it'll be sharp work if I don't stun him at the first blow."
"Ain't you afraid of killing him?"
"Not a bit of it; he'd stand up under a good deal harder blow than I shall give him."
Then the conversation ceased, and after a time Jim's heavy breathing told that he was sleeping at his post of duty.
Jet had quite as much as he could do to keep his eyes open; but he succeeded after a fashion, and when they had been in hiding at least three hours the alleged melody of a song coming across the still waters told their hoped-for captive was approaching.
That Sam had been indulging to a considerable extent in liquor could be plainly understood by the sound of his voice, and again Jet felt the same misgivings which had assailed him immediately after the capture of Bob.
The new-comer had no thought of prudence; but was evidently bent on landing in front of the camp on the outside of the island.
Jet shook Jim, at the same time placing his hand over the boy's mouth to prevent a possible outcry, and whispered:
"There's no time to lose. We must get there ahead of him, or the jig is up, and, according to the noise, he's rowing mighty fast."
Jim was on his feet in an instant, and the two started at full speed through the underbrush, paying little attention to the disturbance of the foliage, because Sam was so nearly intoxicated that he would not heed slight sounds.
"He'll land somewhere here," Jet said, breathlessly, as he halted where the glimmer of the camp-fire could be seen. "If he don't we must creep up while he's fastening the boat."
Sam was evidently amusing himself by making the light craft spin through the water, and when he turned for the shore the boys saw that they had stationed themselves in the most advantageous position.
It was not necessary to move out of their tracks, for after landing the man came directly toward where they were standing.
Jet raised his revolver by the muzzle, and Jim stood ready to make a spring.
Sam reeled along shouting for Bob and lurching from side to side.
The time had not come to strike the blow; but the boy, believing he was about to be discovered, struck at the fellow's head.
The blow was not delivered fairly, but glanced off, and instead of being stunned Sam was only alarmed.
Leaping back quickly, before Jet could strike again, he fired into the bushes from whence he believed the attack had come.
The bullet whistled so near Jim's nose that the young gentleman leaped back with a howl, and this outcry was sufficient to show Sam where to send another. Before the echoes had fairly died away the sound of hurried footsteps through the bushes told that the small guide had taken refuge in flight.
Jet was alone, amid darkness so intense that he had no means of judging the whereabouts of his enemy save by the flash when the revolver was discharged.
The knowledge of danger had sobered Sam, and he understood he must make a desperate fight or be arrested, for, quite naturally, the first thought was that the officers of the law were on his track.
Jet was wholly at a loss to know what course should be pursued.
Sam was not charged with a capital crime, and Harvey never intimated that he cared to take him prisoner, therefore to shoot now, save actually in self-defense, would be little less than murder.
Sam emptied the chambers of his weapon while retreating toward the boat, and that he had reloaded before reaching her was told by the second volley which he sent in the direction of Jet.
By the grating of wood and sand the amateur detective knew the boat was being pushed off from the shore, and at that moment he could have fired with a very good chance of hitting the mark; but he refrained from doing so.
The most important thing just now was to assure the safety of the prisoners in the other camp, and he made his way across the island hurriedly, lest by accident Sam should happen to stumble across his comrades.
Neither Jim nor the boat were to be seen when he arrived at the clump of trees where the craft had been moored.
The small guide had thought only of his own safety, and paid no attention to what might happen to his friend.
Jet would have tried to summon him by whistling, but for the fear Sam might hear the signal and come that way.
It was possible to swim across the intervening space; but it would be at the cost of wetting both weapons, and he decided against the idea almost before it took form in his mind.
He splashed the water gently, hoping Jim would believe it a signal to come back.
Then he waited in silence nearly an hour, fancying all the previous work would speedily be undone, and when it seemed certain the small guide had deserted him entirely, he heard his name whispered.
"Is that you, Jim?" he asked in a low tone.
"Yes. Where's that feller?"
"Left the island, I think. Why don't you row in here?"
"Is it safe?"
"It won't be if you don't take me off precious quick."
This threat had the effect of deciding the timid guide, and in a few moments the boat was paddled alongside the bank.
"What did you run away for?" Jet asked, angrily, when they were a short distance from the shore.
"What for? Didn't you hear that bullet come across my nose?"
"Of course he fired; but there wasn't much chance of being hit in the darkness."
"There was too good a chance to suit me. If that bullet had come an inch nearer I'd be dead by this time."
"But it didn't, and when you found he hadn't hit the mark, you told him where you was by runnin' away."
"I couldn't help it," Jim replied apologetically. "I don't reckon I was cut out for a detective, an' when folks begin shootin' right at me I'm bound to run."
"Have you been up to the camp?"
"Not much. I stayed right here in the boat to find out what was goin' on."
"Then there's no knowing but he has been ashore and set the men free."
"If that's so the sooner we get out of this place the better," and Jim would have headed the boat toward the outlet, but that Jet prevented him by pulling lustily on the other oar.
"Look here," the latter said, angrily, "if you act like this I'll dump you overboard, or shoot, whichever comes handiest. Now row for our camp, and do the best you know how, if you don't want to get into a pile of trouble with me."
Jim obeyed meekly, and a few moments later Jet was running at full speed toward the clump of cedars.
The encampment was, apparently, just as they had left it, and Jet gave vent to a sigh of relief as he ascertained that the prisoners were still bound securely.
Then he ran back to help Jim bring the boat ashore, and the guide asked in a trembling voice:
"Are you goin' to try to stay here now?"
"What else can we do? It would be running a big risk to start in the boat with both men, for Sam is rowing around somewhere, and he's certain to help his friends if he sees them in trouble."
"Suppose he should find out we were here?"
"That's exactly what I'm afraid of. We must keep mighty close for a day or two, and then I'll try to send another message."
"I can't stay as long as that."
"Very well, start for the village now, and I'll hold my own against him if he comes."
"But I don't dare to go off by myself while he's prowlin' 'round."
"Then don't be a fool, but help me keep things quiet until he gets tired of hunting for us, and leaves."
Jim was not in such a frame of mind as would best fit him to be an assistant in such a desperate case as was now before the boys; but in the absence of other help Jet could do no less than utilize him in some way, and he began by threatening all kind of punishments if he didn't stand up like a man and do his duty.
There was no sleep for the amateur detective on this night.
He spent the time pacing to and fro in the encampment, watching the prisoners, going to the water's edge, or listening to the slightest unusual sound, fearing it might be made by Sam.
When daylight came Jet was hidden among the fringe of bushes which bordered the lake, and the first living thing he saw was the man whom he had failed to capture on the previous evening.
Sam was standing on the shore of the island, apparently on the point of embarking in the boat.
While Jet could have counted twenty he remained there, and then, stepping on board, began to row directly toward the spot where the boy was in hiding.