The lamp had been placed on a projecting piece of rock that served as a shelf, and with only his knowledge of the place to guide him, Pete started for the entrance.
He could not have had more than time enough to reach the cabin, when the sound of excited voices came back to the fugitives through the tunnel, which served the purpose of a speaking tube.
"Seized? the Bouncing Betsey seized? By whom, in the demon's name?"
It was Pete who asked the question, there could be no doubt of that.
"Yes, Pete, she was taken in less than twenty minutes after you left her," answered another voice.
"That's the fellow he called Clarky," whispered Bissell to his companions.
The others nodded.
"But by whom—by whom was she taken?" demanded Pete, impatiently.
"Revenue officers; and there are three or four detectives with them."
"The deuce! this looks black."