Snorts and grunts coming from the thicket soon proved the correctness of this supposition, and then the peccary turned back, much to the relief of the boys and the disgust of Captain Joe, who had from the cabin scented a possible enemy and a chance at pursuit.
Then another and much more surprising and disquieting sound came from the forest. This was nothing less than the gruff voices of two men, speaking in English. The boys listened in wonder and dismay. Who could these people be? Why were they there in that lonely spot? Were their intentions friendly or hostile? These questions were soon answered, and in a most unsatisfactory manner.
“The Indian will take care of the two kids, all right,” they heard a coarse voice say, “and we’ll get into the boat before the others wake up.”
“Lucky to find a boat here—and a motor boat at that,” another voice said. “It won’t take us long to get to the headwaters now.”
The boys stood perfectly still, listening to the throaty chuckles which followed this last remark. And so the new comers were enemies, and had designs on the boat! More than that, their conversation indicated that two of the boys, probably Case and Frank, had been discovered by the marauders and left in the custody of a native! The situation was serious, especially as the prow light disclosed the deserted condition of the Rambler.
One of the men moved out to the shore, so that a burly figure was outlined against the light on the prow of the boat. The lads moved forward a pace, in order to inspect the intruder at closer range, and a snapping twig betrayed their presence.
“Stay where you are!” a rough voice called back to them, “and we’ll just take charge of this boat!”
“Step into that light,” Clay answered, “and you’ll take charge of a bullet!”
CHAPTER XIII.—A PLEASANT SURPRISE
Little dreaming of the desperate situation at the boat, yet understanding that the Englishmen had set out to take possession of her, Case and Frank stood silently, watchfully, at the campfire while the thing the Indian had fled from stepped out of the darkness and approached them.