Suddenly Shirley jumped to her feet and rushed at Jones, thinking to catch him unprepared and push him into the water. But Jones was too quick for her. He stood up, stepped aside, and it seemed a miracle that Shirley did not go overboard.
Jones smiled.
“I wouldn’t try it again if I were you,” he said quietly. “I am not to be caught napping.”
He sat down again, and Shirley resumed her seat.
Now the Sybil lost sight of her pursuer around a bend in the stream. From this point on the creek wound about more frequently, and it was plain to Shirley that the pursuers were hopelessly outdistanced.
Then Jones spoke to Briggs.
“Run ashore,” he commanded.
Briggs obeyed without a word, and a few moments later, they all stepped out upon the bank.
“Come,” said Jones, “let’s get out of sight before our friends arrive.”
He motioned the two girls to precede him along what they found to be a narrow path.