He aimed directly for the muzzle of Jet's gun, but was forced to discharge his weapon so quickly that there was no time to shoot with any degree of accuracy.
Two of the bullets whistled past Jet, but the third lodged in the fleshy portion of his arm.
For the instant he was conscious of nothing more than a sharp twinge such as might have been caused by the sudden application of a galvanic battery, and he pulled both triggers of his gun at the same instant.
Unfortunately neither of the bullets took effect.
At the moment he fired Sam leaped behind a tree, thus shielding himself from what might otherwise have put a speedy end to the battle.
"Stay where you are, and fire whenever he shows himself!" Jet whispered sternly to Jim, who was showing signs of beating a retreat.
"Where's the use?" the small guide whined. "You're pretty nigh killed, an' what am I goin' to do?"
"I'm all right; there's no need to worry about me if you'll only do your share."
"But look at the blood!" and Jim pointed to his friend's shoulder down which the life fluid was flowing copiously.
Just at that instant Jet had no time to bestow upon his own injuries.