"But I heard the shot."
"It was loaded to the muzzle with flour. That's all. Just plain, ordinary flour."
They dropped down behind the boulders.
When they peeped out again they could see Captain Royal at the mouth of the cave, dancing with rage. Evidently he saw them, for he yelled:
"You can't hide from me. I can see you."
He raised the shotgun to his shoulder again and pressed the trigger. Once more there was a shower of flour distributed in every direction.
"Whether he's Todham Todd or Captain Royal, he's a lunatic," declared Joe.
"There's no question of that."
The boys crouched behind the boulder and watched the antics of the captain. He was yelling and shrieking like a wild Indian, waving the shotgun on high. Both barrels had been discharged.
"My ammunition is gone!" he roared. "My ammunition is gone!"