It was one of the oblong, little packages that he handed to the man, and, letting the mouse drop, he took it and walked back to those in the big cave.
But he did not notice that a tiny spark was working its way along what seemed to be a string on the package.
The fact was that it was one of his patent firecrackers that Hop had given him.
Just as he joined the rest at the table the thing exploded with a noise like that of a shotgun.
"Ow! Murder!" yelled the outlaw, for his hand was burned by the operation.
Then he danced about like a wild man, while the prisoners were forced to laugh, in spite of their situation.
Cap Roche was the first to realize what had happened.
"Shut up!" he commanded. "He played a joke on you, that's all. Serves you right for fooling with him. That is the greatest Chinaman I ever saw."
The victim went for water to cool his burning hand.
"Allee light; me go now," called out Hop, who had been, watching from the front of the cave. "Me soonee come back with um money to pay um toll, so be."