“Pike has told them they can get many sacks of gold from you for me.”
“I see!” grunted old Arnold. “A plain case of holdup, eh? Brigandage and ransom? Well, we’ll see.”
Jefferson Arnold grimly examined his rifle and pistol, and looked at Nick Carter inquiringly.
The detective said nothing. He stepped away from the others, and, concealing himself behind a huge bowlder, managed to get a good view of the rascals who were perched about the rocks above them, ready to make a concerted rush at the command of their leader.
“Come on!” whispered Nick to his party. “We’ll steal as near them as we can, and then let fly at them all together!”
“That’s the stuff!” chuckled Patsy.
Cautiously, Nick Carter went forward, with Chick and Patsy close behind. Then came the other two white men, with the four coolies. Jai Singh and Adil brought up the rear.
They had managed to advance until they were within about fifty feet of the big rock behind which Nick knew the advance guard of the Bolongus was stationed.
There were four in this group, and Nick intended to overcome them first if he could, thus paving the way to the next lot.
If once he could get the weapons away from these twenty odd, he could safely leave them where they were, or send them down the river, bound, in care of the four coolies. Then he could take his own time about coming back with the Arnolds, unless they should determine to follow Pike over the mountains.