Brace was in the act of laying down his gun when his brother, who was before him, stood up, and then uttered a sharp ejaculation, close upon a dull twanging sound from somewhere forward among the trees.
“What is it, Free?” cried Brace excitedly.
“An arrow,” said Sir Humphrey sharply. “Here, quick, Brace; it may be poisoned. You, Mr Briscoe, keep a good look-out for—”
The rest of his speech was stopped by the sharp report of the American’s gun, who fired as he half-knelt in the stern of the boat, aiming just above the men’s heads.
The next moment he and his man fired again, and as the report died out the occupants of the boat could hear a splashing sound as of paddles some little distance in advance.
Chapter Eleven.
Grim Danger.
Brace felt an icy chill run through him, and for a few moments he was paralysed.