The expression on the convict’s face as he grasped the situation would under ordinary circumstances have turned the pirates cold.
But a bush boy of thirteen with a loaded Winchester at full cock and a grievance such as Tom Pagdin was labouring under, had to be reckoned with.
Bang! went the rifle.
Petit leaped into the air like a kangaroo which had been shot through the body by a Martini, and sprang into the scrub.
At the same moment Dan and George broke into sight through the jungle.
“After him!” yelled Tom.
He re-charged his rifle as he ran, with Dave close at his heels.
“Look out!” cried Dave, frantically waving and shouting to the two strangers. “Head him off!”
At that moment Petit, twice wounded, desperate, and murderous, hurled himself upon Dan and attempted to seize his shot gun.
Dan was an athlete, but this unexpected attack took him at a disadvantage. He stumbled, caught his foot in a vine, and fell backwards.