Sam was evidently amusing himself by making the light craft spin through the water, and when he turned for the shore the boys saw that they had stationed themselves in the most advantageous position.
It was not necessary to move out of their tracks, for after landing the man came directly toward where they were standing.
Jet raised his revolver by the muzzle, and Jim stood ready to make a spring.
Sam reeled along shouting for Bob and lurching from side to side.
The time had not come to strike the blow; but the boy, believing he was about to be discovered, struck at the fellow's head.
The blow was not delivered fairly, but glanced off, and instead of being stunned Sam was only alarmed.
Leaping back quickly, before Jet could strike again, he fired into the bushes from whence he believed the attack had come.
The bullet whistled so near Jim's nose that the young gentleman leaped back with a howl, and this outcry was sufficient to show Sam where to send another. Before the echoes had fairly died away the sound of hurried footsteps through the bushes told that the small guide had taken refuge in flight.
Jet was alone, amid darkness so intense that he had no means of judging the whereabouts of his enemy save by the flash when the revolver was discharged.
The knowledge of danger had sobered Sam, and he understood he must make a desperate fight or be arrested, for, quite naturally, the first thought was that the officers of the law were on his track.