The light of the blazing huts now illumined the scene, and in the glow, Norton caught sight of Billy running toward them. He hailed the lad with a shout:
"Hi! Hurry up, Billy! Where have you been all this time?"
"Watching the fight!" shouted Billy, whose voice sounded doleful. "Wishing I could butt into it earlier! Come on, come on! We're chasing 'em!"
"Hold on!" Norton exclaimed loudly. "We've had about enough of this. Here we'll stay, my boy, and let our better-armed friends capture the gang. When they get to their boat it will be a case of 'first come, first served' to get away. Most of them'll be caught and captured. Meanwhile, it's up to us to find Hugh. He must be in that largest shanty there, unless——-"
"Come on!" yelled Billy, seeing his brother scouts already commencing the search.
He dashed over to the remaining shanty and flung himself against the door.
"Hugh, Hugh!" he called. "Are you in there?"
No answer—-only the roaring and crackling of the flames as they devoured the old walls and crumbling roof of the nearby abandoned dwellings.
"Hugh!" shouted Alec and Chester, banging on the door, while Mark ran around the cabin, looking in vain for a window or other means of entrance.
The door gave way and the three scouts rushed in, followed by Norton.