Ralph at once set to work, and inside of five minutes he was ready to accompany the two men. He had found them quite agreeable on the trip and never for an instant did he dream of the foul plot that they were expecting to carry out.
Ralph offered to carry the game-bags, but this offer was declined. So, with nothing in his hands but a thin stick he had picked up on the bank, he led the way away from the sloop and up among the rocks that formed the base of the mountain of which the island was composed.
"It's the best kind of a place for the work," whispered Martin to Toglet, as they trudged on behind Ralph. "Not a soul will guess the truth after the deed is done."
"Don't let the boy suspect, or he will be on his guard," was the low reply. "He looks as if he could show fight if he wished."
"We'll take him unawares, and then——"
"There's a good shot!" cried Ralph, pointing to a number of wild water fowls, which just then arose from a hollow close by.
He fully expected one or the other of the men to take hasty aim and fire, but neither did so.
"We'll wait for something better," said Martin.
"We'll take a look around before we begin to waste our powder," put in Toglet.
In truth, neither of them had come to do any shooting. They were afraid that a shot might attract attention should other sportsmen be in the vicinity.