Jet studied the situation for several minutes, and whispered:
"We must manage to creep around on the other side, and get hold of the gun first. Then I'll cover him with my revolver, and you must do the same with the other weapon. When he sees that both of us have got the drop on him, I reckon there won't be much trouble in keeping him quiet."
Jim did not stop to argue the matter.
According to his opinion the sooner the job was finished, the better, and he started off at right angles with the camp, Jet following him.
The boys moved so slowly and cautiously that not so much as a leaf was disturbed, and the man by the fire heard nothing to arouse his suspicions.
Jim made a needlessly long detour.
Many times before it was ended Jet felt convinced that the guide had made a mistake, and once he stopped the boy to say so; but the latter replied, in the tone of a fellow who knows perfectly well where he is:
"We're all right. The camp is just over there, and I want to come in sight of the lake once more before turning toward it."
Twenty minutes later Jim pointed ahead with a gesture of triumph.
Jet could see dimly through the foliage the outlines of the hut; but the trees hid the man from view.