The advice probably was not intended to be followed. It was said perhaps to scare Ruth. But it excited somebody else besides the girl of the Red Mill.
Before Bilby could reply or anybody else could speak, Copley came to his feet with all the suddenness of a jumping-jack. Bilby squealed and started back, falling against the gruff man who had followed him into the cave and who was evidently the boatman.
“What’s this?” ejaculated this man.
But that was all he said. The Chinamen squealed in unison, and that was all from them. Bilby himself faintly groaned.
“Put your hands up—all of you!” commanded Copley, and one of the most amazing things about the whole wild extravaganza was that the young fellow’s voice was perfectly unshaken.
Lads that have been in the army are apt to consider circumstances like these as meat and drink to them. Chessleigh had not served Uncle Sam in vain. He was as cool as the proverbial cucumber!
“Put your hands up—all of you! There are ten shots in this magazine and every one of them will get its man. Quick! Up with ’em!”
In all probability only one of the Chinamen understood this strictly American form of expression. But when the burly Chinaman elevated his yellow hands, his fellow countrymen did the same.
As for Bilby and the boatman, they reached toward the roof of the cavern hastily. There was no hesitation on their part. Although Copley was alone, his unwavering attitude and the threat of the automatic pistol, played hob with such shreds of courage as the malefactors possessed.