His jaw dropped when he saw Dick free and Doctor Dan with him.
Evidently Martin Mudd believed in the old adage that “he who fights and runs away may live to fight another day,” for he ran off up the lake shore as fast as his condition would allow.
Doctor Dan gave chase and fired two or three shots after him, but he did not catch the man and actually did not try.
Mudd disappeared among the rocks which lined the shore, and the Indian soon returned and joined Dick in front of the hut.
Dick was listening at the door and he held up his finger as Doctor Dan approached.
“There’s one of them moving about inside there,” he whispered. “Keep still.”
“Let ’em move,” said Doctor Dan. “Who are they, anyway? I looked in through the window and saw a lot of fellows lying about drunk in there, but they are all strangers to me. Say, where’s Charley, Dick?”
“Dead, I’m afraid,” replied Dick, hoarsely. “Help me, doctor! That young lady I told you about is a prisoner in there. I’ll explain later, but we must settle with these fellows first.”
“I’ll soon settle ’em,” chuckled Doctor Dan. “I’ll send them after your friend Mudd.”
He ran back to the rocks and soon returned dragging the head of the Plesiosaurus after him, but it was not needed. All was quiet inside the hut now and when Dick ventured to open the door softly they were all sound asleep.