“Enough to make me wish your father had waited one day longer. From the appearances I should say a regular mob of men had been around where we left the boat, and there is little doubt but that they are the same kind of a crowd we saw dancin’ near the fire. They’ve made off with our craft, an’ now count on huntin’ us down at their leisure.”
Although this information was no more alarming than what Andy had predicted, the old darky seemed to be literally paralyzed with fear. He remained silent and motionless, staring at Mr. Jenkins as if in the latter’s face he could read even more terrible intelligence than had already been imparted.
CHAPTER XXII.
RUN TO COVER.
Andy was not the only one who felt as if an unkind fortune had dealt the crowning blow in a series of disasters, and that it would be useless to struggle longer against such overwhelming odds.
It is true the little party were armed, after a certain fashion, and could act on the defensive for a short time in a creditable manner; but the supply of ammunition was woefully small, and when the last cartridge should have been fired they had only two knives and two hatchets with which to hold their own against a party of perhaps forty.
To each one these thoughts came much as if they had been presented for consideration, and, after five minutes or more had been spent in mournful reflections, Jenkins said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness:
“It’s worse than foolish for us to sit here moonin’ over what we’ve got to meet like men. It’ll be strange if we can’t hold our own against such a crowd as is on this island; but we sha’n’t make any headway by suckin’ our thumbs.”
“You are the leader, and we are waiting to hear what you propose doing,” Gil replied, forcing himself to speak firmly and even carelessly, because of the effect he knew his words would have upon the others.
“That’s what I haven’t had time to decide on,” Jenkins said, deliberately. “Suppose we try to cook up some plan between us? What is your opinion, Andy?”