“Now keep quiet,” Bob cautioned, “and be sure to keep out of range of the windows. Remember, they would shoot us quick as a wink if they got the chance.”
The men were evidently in good humor, for they could hear them talking and laughing as they approached the cabin. Soon they heard one of them fumbling with the lock, and a moment later there came a heavy shove against the door, followed by an oath in French.
“We’ve got them guessing,” Jack whispered.
“Hush,” Bob cautioned.
For a moment all was still, then they could hear the man talking rapidly in broken French. Then came another push against the door, followed by more excited talking.
“They’re coming round back,” Rex whispered.
A moment later a shout from one of the breeds announced the discovery of the broken window. For several minutes after that they could hear no sound.
“Wonder what they’re up to,” Jack whispered.
“Guess they’re trying to make out what it means,” Bob replied.
Almost as he spoke there came the loud report of a revolver, and a bullet buried itself in a log on the side opposite the open window.