The fellow named Tom, who had been opposed to killing Ted, had evidently been doing some hard thinking, and the threat of his mate to expose him to Checkers evidently convinced him that he would rather be alive than perish for a mere sentiment.
"All right, Bill," he said; "I don't like it, but we've got to share it."
"Sure," said the other. "It'll be blow and blow. We both strike together."
"Come on, then."
"Now," said Ted, putting Stella behind him and crouching in the darkness.
The two men entered the cabin noisily, knowing that they had nothing to fear from an unarmed boy bound hand and foot and lying in the corner with nothing to hope for.
As they approached the corner they were surprised to see a stalwart young form arise suddenly and a pair of revolvers gleam through the darkness as a voice rang out commandingly:
"Hands up!"
The hands of both went up very promptly.
"Drop those knives!"