After the mid-day meal Captain Gould and Jack left the store and went to relieve Ernest and Mr. Wolston, who were on sentry-go at the battery.
Those two were just coming away when Captain Gould stopped them.
“There are several canoes at the mouth of Jackal River,” he said.
“They are probably going fishing as usual,” Jack replied. “They will take care to go by out of range of our guns.”
Jack was scanning the place through the telescope.
“Ah!” he exclaimed. “There are a lot of canoes this time. Wait: five—six—nine; and two more coming out of the creek; eleven-twelve! Can the whole fleet be going fishing?”
“Perhaps they are getting ready to attack us,” Mr. Wolston said.
“We will be on our guard,” said Captain Gould; “let us go and warn the others.”
“Let us see first which way the canoes are going,” Mr. Wolston replied.
“Anyhow, all our guns are ready,” Jack added.