“Same here, sir,” growled the man handling the boat-hook; “and we wish you could bring down one of they savages as keeps on trying to hit the target, meaning we. This sort of thing aren’t pleasant here in the dark.”
The American nodded, as his eyes literally glittered in the gloomy shades, for he kept on turning them in all directions, and then with his face lighting up he took a quick aim and fired away to his right, scattering leaves and sending them pattering down; but apparently with no other effect save that there was another shot fired, and certainly from a much nearer point.
Just then the men gave a cheer, for as they urged the boat in the direction of the spot whence came the last shot, they caught sight of a bright ray of light.
Five minutes later there was a distinct lightening of the gloom, and before many more minutes had passed the boat was forced out suddenly through a curtain of drooping boughs into the dazzling light of the open river.
The “Jason” was riding at anchor quite a quarter of a mile lower down the stream, while close in shore was another of the brig’s boats, standing up in whose stern the unmistakeable figure of Captain Banes was seen.
Chapter Twelve.
Aboard the Brig Again.
The two boats reached the anchored vessel about the same time, and Sir Humphrey, who looked ghastly, was carefully lifted on board and borne down into the cabin, where the captain examined the injured arm.