“‘Iceberglars’ is good,” laughed Glennon.
The men ahead were out of sight soon after the other party left the cave. View of them was shut off by a high “banister” of ice between the lower area and the big stairway. Presently the secret service operative and his followers rounded the end of this “banister” and could see dimly the forms of the invaders half-way to the top.
As rapidly as possible, those in the rear moved up the ascent and down the other side. There was little danger of their being discovered now, so, they climbed and descended with all the speed consistent with safety.
The men of evil intentions continued their advance, thoughtless of pursuit. They reached the foot of the descent, where their movements were less distinct, as they had arrived at a veritable pocket in the ice with a comparatively narrow opening to sea ward.
“They haven’t got any weapons, have they?” Guy inquired.
“They’ve got clubs they picked out of the wreckage of the raft and probably every one of them has a pocketknife,” Carl replied. “See?—We’ve got clubs too.”
“They had their clubs hidden at the foot of the stairs on the other side,” Watson explained. “There may be a big fight pretty soon. You better get back in the rear, Guy, as you haven’t any weapon.”
The latter was no coward, but he could not deny that this was good advice. So he decided to keep in the background, but to watch for an opportunity to assist his friends.
Watson, however, had planned to avoid a serious encounter. This feature of his plan he had not revealed, as he did not wish any half-hearted assistants. He knew that he could expect his men to act like real soldiers if they enlisted with the expectation of a severe hand-to-hand struggle. Twenty or thirty feet from the lower landing, he halted and held out both hands as a signal for those behind to do likewise. It appeared that the invaders were holding a council of war.
Presently, however, activity was observed at the entrance of the Eskimo cave, and Watson knew it was time for him to play his trump card. Guy saw him make a sudden move with his right hand, which was followed instantly by an explosion. He had fired a pistol in the air.