The two boys listened. The chugging of the motor had ceased, but the searchlight was still playing over the trees.
“Maybe they’re wrecked, too,” spoke Ned. “Let’s go over and see what it is.”
“Better tell Nestor,” suggested Jerry.
They woke up the miner and told him what they had seen and heard.
“Go slow,” he cautioned. “Here, I’ll tell you what to do. Jerry and I will take a look. No use runnin’ into danger. It may be Noddy Nixon an’ his gang, an’ if it is, we’ve got to be careful.”
Neither of the boys had thought of this. However, they realized the force of it. Bidding Ned to be on guard, Nestor set out, accompanied by Jerry. The miner had his revolvers ready and Jerry carried the hunter’s gun. They did not intend to shoot to kill or injure any one, but thought the weapons would be useful in an emergency to scare off the enemy, if they should happen to meet one.
With great caution they moved in the direction from which the sounds had come. The white, glaring light was now stationary, and, like a giant finger, was pointing up toward the sky. It served as a guiding star for Jerry and Nestor.
“Let me go ahead,” suggested the miner, when they had come quite close to where the light had its source.
Taking the advance, Nestor made his way through the underbrush and trees with great quietness. Jerry followed as best he could. Suddenly the miner stopped.
“I see them!” he whispered.