When they finished, Jack whispered to the sheriff:
"There are three things we can now do. One is to attack the bandits here; the next is to notify the railroad people to look out for them; and the last is to let them attempt to carry out their plan and raid them in the act. Now, what shall we do?"
Timberlake pondered.
He wanted to avoid making any mistake.
Finally he muttered:
"If we were to run away to the railroad to apprise the company, something might happen that would delay us. Then the villains could carry out their purpose anyway. We can't do that. Now if we tackle them here, some of them are apt to give us the slip, an' do the job in spite of us. I think it will be safer to let them go to the rendezvous, and try to stop the cars. Then we can sail into them, and frustrate their plans."
"I quite agree with you," said Jack.
"Then let us return to the Terror."
Creeping silently away, they were getting safely out of the hollow, when suddenly a sentry came along, and almost stumbled over them.
"Hello!" he roared. "Who goes there?"