As the two boys poked their heads out of the canvas cover that served as a tent over the open boat, they could easily see the advancing boat.
"Glory be!" murmured the amazed Jimmie, "we're in a nice pickle, now, Jack. Sure there's half a dozen of the gossoons, if there's one. And by the powers, look at 'em heading this way, too! What will we do, Jack? Lit me have the gun, if so be ye don't want to shoot!"
"Wait!" replied Jack, sternly. "We'll see if we can hold them back first. Perhaps, when they see that we mean business and are armed, they may haul off."
Nearer came the boat. It could now be seen that those who handled the oars were trying to make less noise, as though desirous of not arousing the sleepers they expected to take by surprise.
Suddenly Jack called out as sternly as he could:
"Stop there! or it will be the worse for you!"
He also waved the gun that the starlight might glint from its barrel, and show the men in the boat they were not unarmed.
A man stood up in the bow of the advancing craft, and a heavy voice shouted:
"It's all up with you, men. You are known, and we demand you to surrender in the name of the law!"