He put his hand over Tom’s mouth and pinched him.
Tom let out a muffled roar.
He had been fast asleep and dreaming.
“Hist!” exclaimed Dave. “They’re comin’.”
“I wasn’t frightened,” whispered Tom, in explanation, “but I thought you was the devil. Yes, that’s them. They’re close in too.”
The boat came in quietly.
The men landed. One of them struck a match and lit a lantern. The light flickered round the bushes, and Tom and Dave by a spontaneous impulse tried to make themselves invisible.
“Give us the lantern. Frenchy,” said the man who was holding the match, “and let us have a look at the spoil.”
The other man lifted a heavy bag out of the boat.