“Then they’re in that cave,” was the rejoinder.
“Dismount!” came a sharp order.
The boys could hear the men getting off their horses, and the animals being led away.
“Get your carbines ready!” was the next command.
“It’s time for us to act!” whispered Jerry. “We must each one take a gun, and stand at the mouth of the cave. We’ll warn them not to enter. If they persist we will have to fire, but we must try not to hurt any one mortally. Aim at their legs!”
In the half darkness of the cavern the boys and the professor each took a rifle and crept to the mouth of the opening. No sooner had they reached it than they heard the tramp of feet, and shadows told them the bad men were advancing.
“Halt!” cried Jerry, who had naturally assumed command.
“Who are you?” asked the leader of the gang.
“Never mind who we are,” replied Jerry. “We are in possession of this cave, and we warn you not to come in!”
“Big words for a kid!” sneered the leader.