At length there was a combined rush from all quarters, and the swamp explorers were forced to the ground and made prisoners.
This caused their hopes to rise a trifle.
They were not to be killed at present, and that was one consoling thought.
Their captors seemed to be very gleeful over the fact of having made them prisoners, and at once proceeded to bind their arms behind them, after having first divested them of their weapons.
Then the five swamp explorers were lifted to their feet in their deplorable condition.
“I wonder what in thunderation the scamps are a-goin’ ter do with us,” observed the Yankee.
“The Lord only knows,” groaned Prof. Easy, who now was thoroughly frightened.
“We will have to trust to luck,” said Leo.
“We is done gwine ter be killed—’deed we is!” exclaimed Lucky, in a despondent tone.
“Wait until you are sure of that before you say it again,” replied Dick.