As the man uttered his threats I heard a sharp whispering and a quick movement or two in the dark, and then all at once I saw the light open, and after a flash here and there shine full upon the fellow, who immediately turned the pistol on the holder of the lantern.
“Now then,” he cried, “yer give in, don’t yer? Yes or no ’fore I fires. Yah!”
He turned sharply round in my direction as I struggled with Piter, whom the sight of the black-looking ruffian had made furious.
But the man had not turned upon me.
He had caught sight of Uncle Jack springing at him, the light showing him as he advanced.
There was a flash, a loud report, and almost preceding it, if not quite, the sound of a sharp rap given with a stick upon flesh and bone.
The next instant there was a hoarse yell and the noise made by the pistol falling upon the floor.
“Hurt, Jack?” cried Uncle Dick, as my heart seemed to stand still.
“Scratched, that’s all,” was the reply. “Here, come and tie this wild beast’s hands. I think I can hold him now.”
It almost sounded like a rash assertion, as the light played upon the desperate struggle that was going on. I could see Uncle Jack and the man, now down, now up, and at last, after wrestling here and there, the man, in spite of Uncle Jack’s great strength, seeming to have the mastery. There was a loud panting and a crushing fall, both going down, and Uncle Jack rising up to kneel upon his adversary’s chest.