"Not so much of a blinkin' 'urry, Diggers!"
[Illustration: "IT'S SPUD MURPHY AND JOE JENNINGS!">[
CHAPTER XXV
On the Barge
Pulling himself up just in time, Malcolm turned and looked again at the gap in the rushes as the two men emerged cautiously and crept towards the barge.
"It's Spud Murphy and Joe Jennings!" he exclaimed.
"Right you are, chum," replied the latter. "Thought as 'ow we were the farthest west of our little crush. You've been mighty nippy, mates. What's your move?"
"We've constructed a dug-out," replied Peter, pointing to the concealed lair, of which only the narrow entrance was visible.