“They are heads,” said Jones, after he had taken a look at the objects through the spy-glass. “They were tolling that flock, and we came up just in time to spoil their sport for them.”
“If I could have my way, they would never have the pleasure of shooting a wild duck or anything else as long as they live,” snapped Lester.
“We have found them,” said Enoch. “Now we will sail around, far enough from the shore to avoid arousing their suspicions, and keep an eye on their movements through the glass. Barr’s big gun is hidden somewhere near that cove, you know.”
Enoch kept on down the bay without one word of apology to the boys on shore for frightening away the ducks, while Jones, at his suggestion, settled himself down on a cushion in the cock-pit to observe and report upon the actions of Egan and his party. The latter, all unconscious of the fact that they were being closely watched, strolled leisurely along the shore of the cove in the hope of picking up a few brace of snipes for their next morning’s breakfast; and although they did not find the game for which they were looking, they found something else for which they were not looking. Jones, through the glass, saw them stop all on a sudden, and bend down until their heads disappeared from view. They were out of sight for a long time, and when they again arose to an upright position, three of them were tugging and lifting at something which seemed to be about as heavy as they could manage with their united strength. When Jones saw that, he uttered a loud ejaculation of astonishment.
“Enoch,” he exclaimed, “give me the tiller and you take the glass—quick. Those fellows have found it, or else I am very much mistaken.”
Enoch seized the glass, and one look was all that was needed to show him that the sharp-eyed young hunters had unearthed the poacher’s hidden treasure.
“It is Barr’s big gun, sure enough,” said he. “They are trying to stand it up on end so that they can take a good look at it.”
“One would think, from the way you talk, that you were glad of it,” observed Lester.
“And so I am,” answered Enoch, gleefully, as he passed the glass over to Lester and resumed his place at the tiller. “Do you not see that Barr will be awful mad when we tell him of it, and that he will do something to pay Egan for snooping around in this way? Now we will run up to his sink-boat and see what he is going to do about it.”
“By gracious, Enoch!” exclaimed Jones, suddenly. “Just look at that, will you?”