“That’s exactly what they don’t intend to do, my boy. See! they are after us hot foot already!”
It was as Jenkins had said. The entire crowd were beginning to move down the slope from the cave, and there was no longer any hope of being allowed to retire peacefully.
“It has turned into a runnin’ fight,” the mate said, as he examined his revolver. “You fellows must start, an’ I’ll try to hold ’em in check a little. Then I’ll join you, an’ we’ll work the same game over again. Andy, can you lead the way to the shaft?”
“I’se able ter do dat much.”
“Then go, and don’t wait for me until I’ve fired three times. After that I shall come on the best I know how.”
The old man started through the underbrush after assuring himself that the boys were close behind, and during the next five minutes the three traveled at a rapid pace without hearing the slightest sound from the rear.
Then came two shots in succession, and Gil would have stopped but that the old darky reminded him they should hear another before coming to a halt, and in less than a minute the third rang out so near at hand that it seemed as if Jenkins must have been standing close beside them when he fired.
“Where are you?” Nelse cried, and the mate replied:
“Don’t speak so loud. They are right behind, and our only hope is to throw them off the scent, or we may not be able to get under cover.”
“Even if we gain the shaft it is only a question of being starved out.”