“What’s our move, Chief?” Jerry asked anxiously.
“Let’s back-track to the farm and await police. It’s the only thing we can do.”
As a lull came in the firing, Jerry shoved off and rowed rapidly back toward Lookout Point. All crouched low in the boat, but no shots were fired at them.
“They’re satisfied we’ve turned back,” Mr. Parker said. “That was what they wanted.”
However, as Lookout Point loomed up, the party was disconcerted to see a tall, lean figure silhouetted there.
“Stay where ye be, or I’ll fire!” the man shouted. “If ye try to pass, I’ll sink ye’r boat!”
“It’s Ezekiel!” Penny whispered.
Mr. Parker signaled Jerry to row back out of range. “We’ve trapped ourselves between two fires!” he muttered in disgust. “Ezekiel stayed here on purpose to guard the channel while the others make their getaway.”
“Danny could be captured easily if only we could get word to Salt and the police,” Jerry added.
Penny and her father nodded gloomily. Salt, they knew, would follow their trail into the swamp as soon as police reached the Hawkins’ farm. But Ezekiel from his point of vantage, would fire upon them before they realized they were running into danger.