Tim groaned.

Jack's answer crushed him.

"Oh, gee!" he gasped. "I've been a-talkin' ter myself!"

Jack burst out laughing at him, when he realized into what a ridiculous
position Tim had placed himself.

Unable to bear it, the old sailor retreated into the stage.

Jack then turned the Terror away from the forest, and sent her flying
across the rolling country.

He had come to the conclusion to make inquiries at the nearest town for
information about where the James Boys had last been seen terrorizing
the community.

It was his hope to thus get on their trail.

The gloom of night fell.

Heavy, dark banks of clouds covered the sky.

The electric stage finally reached an alluvial bottom, through which
wound a broad deep creek.

Here she went among a dense growth of bushes, and Fritz served an
excellent supper.

While the rest were partaking of the meal Jack remained on duty, and
suddenly caught view of a lone horseman moving slowly along the bank of
the creek like a shadow.

As quick as a flash Jack turned a switch, putting out the lights.

He could barely discern the horseman, and did not remove his glance from
him for an instant.

Jack was suspicious of the man.

It did not seem likely to him that any honest wayfarer could be
wandering along that unfrequented section of the country at night,
acting in such a stealthy manner.

At all events he made up his mind to keep the man in view without being
seen himself.

He therefore graded the speed of the terror to accord with that of the
walking horse, and kept along the clearest ground he could distinguish
in the gloom.

The sudden extinguishing of the lights alarmed Jack's friends, and
brought them to the front room with a rush.

"Vot's der droubles?"

"Anything happened?"

"Is ther lamps injured, my lad?"

These three questions were discharged at him together.

Jack gave a warning hiss, pointed ahead, and said:

"I've just spotted a horseman ahead, boys."

"Who he vos?" eagerly asked Fritz, peering out.

"I haven't got the least idea."

"Be yer follerin' him?"

"Yes, Tim. Ha! there he goes!"

The rider had turned abruptly to the left, out across the course of the
Terror, and headed for a mass of trees, rocks and bushes, that formed a
hollow near the creek side.

Jack stopped the machine.

He had caught view of a gleaming light ahead.

It came from a camp-fire down in the hollow, and flung a lurid glow upon
the scene around.