There sounded the creaking of hawsers, then a low splash as the boat hit the water. Two men, one of them in a blue cap and uniform, rowed for the shore. They reached the landing wharf, clambering up with the assistance of Murky.
Although they could see everything that happened, Rand and the two boys were unable to catch more than a low murmur of sound coming from the conspirators. Once the voice of the man in uniform rose appreciably, but even then they could not catch what was said.
“I’d give my right arm to be able to sit under that wharf and listen to them,” Rand whispered eagerly.
“What you think them fellows do?” Toma wished to know.
“Can’t imagine. Something’s up. I wonder why Murky didn’t bring along his pack-train. What’s the reason for the delay?”
Scarcely had the words left the policeman’s mouth, when he jumped back, nerves taut, eyes shining. A perfect bedlam of sound arose. It drifted across to them through the trees, disturbing the stillness, the calm of the forest’s solitude. They could hear the voices of men, the whinnying of ponies, the guttural shouts of packers, the swishing and snapping of underbrush. Dick seized Toma’s arm and held it in a vise-like grip. In a sort of stupor, he noticed that Rand was filling a rifle-clip with cartridges. The pack-train came into view at the edge of the clearing—ten horses, four dog teams and six men. They gathered about the warehouse, a confused mass of horses, dogs and men, seeming to hesitate, in reality waiting for a signal from Nichols.
It was a crucial moment. Dick knew that the time had come for action, yet the thought terrified him. What chance had they against so many? Not counting Nichols, there were six of the outlaws and probably as many more sailors aboard the yacht. Chills, like tiny currents of ice, coursed down Dick’s spine.
The policeman seemed to sense Dick’s feelings, almost to read his thoughts. He reached over and patted the younger man affectionately on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry, Dick, we’ll come out all right. Just keep cool. You’ve been anxious to join the Royal Mounted—now show me the stuff you’re made of. You too, Toma.”
“Yes sir, corporal, I stick by you when we make ’em big fight. You just tell ’em Toma what to do.”