"Ain't you afraid of killing him?"
"Not a bit of it; he'd stand up under a good deal harder blow than I shall give him."
Then the conversation ceased, and after a time Jim's heavy breathing told that he was sleeping at his post of duty.
Jet had quite as much as he could do to keep his eyes open; but he succeeded after a fashion, and when they had been in hiding at least three hours the alleged melody of a song coming across the still waters told their hoped-for captive was approaching.
That Sam had been indulging to a considerable extent in liquor could be plainly understood by the sound of his voice, and again Jet felt the same misgivings which had assailed him immediately after the capture of Bob.
The new-comer had no thought of prudence; but was evidently bent on landing in front of the camp on the outside of the island.
Jet shook Jim, at the same time placing his hand over the boy's mouth to prevent a possible outcry, and whispered:
"There's no time to lose. We must get there ahead of him, or the jig is up, and, according to the noise, he's rowing mighty fast."
Jim was on his feet in an instant, and the two started at full speed through the underbrush, paying little attention to the disturbance of the foliage, because Sam was so nearly intoxicated that he would not heed slight sounds.
"He'll land somewhere here," Jet said, breathlessly, as he halted where the glimmer of the camp-fire could be seen. "If he don't we must creep up while he's fastening the boat."