“Who’s there? What do you want?” asked a gruff voice.
“Open the door! We want that boy!” cried Jerry.
Confused murmurs from within told that the gang had been taken by surprise.
“I don’t know who you are, but whoever you are you had better move on, if you don’t want a bullet through you,” called the man who had first answered the knock. “This is none of your affair.”
“Open the door or we’ll burst it in!” cried Jerry, knowing the best way to be successful in the fight was to act quickly and take the men by surprise.
There was a laugh from within the hut. It was answered by a rending, crashing splintering sound as Jerry and the professor, using the stocks of their guns, began a vigorous attack on the portal. The door was strong enough, but the hinges were not, and, in less than half a minute the barrier had given way and, with a bound the travelers found themselves tumbling into the hut.
Instantly confusion reigned. The men shouted hoarsely, and several tried to reach their guns, which were stacked in one corner.
“Hands up!” commanded Jerry sharply, leveling his gun at the man who seemed to be the leader.
“Why, they’re nothing but boys! Knock ’em out of the way!” cried one of the gang. At the same time another began creeping up behind Jerry, his intention being to grab the lad from the back and disarm him.