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.

CHAPTER XXXI

AN ATTACK

It could not have been other than an accident wh