"What was that, Tar?" Evarts demanded.
"W'at yo' talkin' 'bout?"
"I heard a noise, and it was right over there," replied Evarts, pointing to where Tom and Dick lay hidden.
"I didn't heah nuffin'."
"I did, I tell you, and it will have to be looked into," insisted the ex-foreman, drawing his automatic revolver.
"Go ahaid, den," encouraged Sambo, also drawing his weapon. "Ef anybody been a-lis'enin', den shoot him full ob holes!"
Evarts darted at the bushes ahead of his companion. Then an exultant yell came from him.
"Hustle, Tar—-and shoot straight! Here are the very people we want—-I caught sight of them!"
"Den watch me!" chuckled Sambo Ebony, flourishing his weapon and dashing forward in the tracks of Evarts.
There was no time for the chums to rise and dart away.