Fortunately, neither of our friends was burdened with sensitive nerves, and it was well they were not, for their errand was not one for timid folk to embark upon.
They glided along after all these pauses, making as fast time as possible. All at once Captain Andrews, who was in the lead, as we know, stopped abruptly.
So abruptly, in fact, that Jack almost collided with him.
“What’s the——” began Jack.
But instantly the Captain clapped a hand over his mouth. He raised the other in a gesture that Jack read instantly: “Silence!”
Just ahead of them. Jack now perceived, the path broadened and emerged on a considerable clearing. The black outlines of several buildings, were scattered about this open space.
From one of them hung a lantern, shedding a yellow patch of light all about it. This, evidently, was the light they had seen from above.
As they stood, still as graven images in the protecting shadows of the forest, a stalwart figure, with a rifle over its shoulder, paced into the circle of light and then vanished again.
“A sentry!” huskily breathed Captain Andrews. “If we thought we’d catch them napping we’ve been badly mistaken.”