“Whether her story is true or not,” said Adam, “we’re not goin’ to give up the boat, are we?”
“No, indeed!” answered both of the boys.
“I’m glad we took the guns from them fellers,” said Adam, “for now we’ve each got one. Let’s jump aboard and get the shootin’-irons. That’s the first thing to do.”
The three now moved toward the boat, which had been drawn up in shallow water.
“Don’t go aboard yit!” exclaimed Mary, quickly stepping toward them; but, as no attention was paid to her words, she gave a loud scream, and ran into the woods.
CHAPTER XV.
THE FORCES MEET.
It so happened that the three guns on The Rolling Stone were all loaded, and as they sprang on board, Adam, Phil, and Phœnix each snatched up one of them.
“Cover yourselves and be ready!” cried Adam.
And, at these words, Phil bounced into the little cabin and put his gun out the landward window; Phœnix stepped on the little strip of deck on the other side of the cabin, and crouching behind it, rested his gun upon the roof, while Adam threw himself flat down on the bottom of the boat and pointed his gun over the side.