Barres, leading, ran down the ditch as fast as he could, spattering himself and the others with mud and water at every step.
“Here!” panted Renoux, clambering nimbly out of the ditch and peering ahead through the reeds. Then he suddenly stood upright:
“Halt!” he shouted. “It’s all up with you, Skeel! Keep away from that boat, or I order my men to fire!”
There was a dead silence for a moment; then Skeel’s voice:
“Better not bother us, my good man. We know our business and you’d better learn yours.”
“Skeel,” retorted Renoux, “my business is other people’s business, sometimes. It’s yours just now. I warn you to keep away from that boat!” He turned and hailed the boat in the next breath: “Boat ahoy! Keep off or we open fire!”
The metallic bang of a rifle cut him short and his 403 straw hat was jerked from his head. Then came Skeel’s voice, calmly dangerous:
“I know you, Renoux! You have no standing here. Keep away or I’ll kill you!”
“What lawful standing have you—leading an armed expedition from the United States into Canada!” retorted Renoux, red with anger and looking about for his hat.
“If you don’t get back I shall surely kill you!” replied Skeel. “I count three, Renoux:—one—two—three.” Bang! went another rifle, and Renoux shrugged and dropped reluctantly back into the ditch.