ich caused Sam to head
for this particular spot; but excited as he was Jet believed the man
knew they were encamped in the cedars.

The first question in his mind was whether he had best make a stand on
the shore, or in the thicket, and the latter course was decided upon.

Sam was not more than two boat lengths from the island when he started,
and there would be several moments in which to arrange for a defense
before the man could land.

Jim was overhauling the cooked provisions preparatory to feeding the
prisoners when his comrade burst into the encampment looking quite as
excited as he felt.

"Sam must have come to the conclusion that those who hit him last night
were not officers of the law, for he went back to the island, and now
is heading straight for this place."

"What?" Jim cried, sharply, as he leaped to his feet, dropping a
handful of fried fish.

"Now, don't get excited, and, above all, keep quiet. It isn't dead
certain he has any suspicion there is a camp here; but we must be
prepared for the worst."

"What are you goin' to do?" Jim asked in a voice trembling with fear.

"Fight him off if he tries to come inside this thicket. It will be
strange if two of us, well armed and under cover, can't hold our own
against one man."

"But how is it to end? He may keep us shut up here till the provisions
are all gone."

"There is no need to look so far ahead. Get your gun and come with me."

Jim obeyed very unwillingly.

This was one of the moments when he felt more like running away than
fighting, but Jet took good care that he should not have an opportunity.

The two crept to the very edge of the thicket, where it would be
possible to see any one who came up from the lake, and they had hardly
concealed themselves before the man appeared.

He was walking slowly, gazing around scrutinizingly, as if expecting to
find enemies, and carried a revolver in his hand.

Jet hoped sincerely that he would pass the cedars without devoting to
them any especial attention, but in this he was disappointed.

Sam had already noted the place, and came straight on as if determined
to examine every inch of the ground.

There was no time for hesitation.

Already he was within a dozen yards of where the boys were crouching,
and in a moment more would be upon them.

Jet suddenly pushed the muzzle of his gun out from among the branches,
and cried:

"Put up your hands, or I'll fire."

Unfortunately Sam was not t