"I wonder what they want with us," speculated the captain, uneasily.
"Nothing pleasant, I guess," said Charley, gravely. "I believe those fellows are bent on making trouble for us. Let's not have any words with them, if we can help it. If we have got to have a fuss with 'em at all though, I guess now is as good a time as ever. I'll get Chris out of the way," he added, in an undertone to Walter. "He does not know yet that he is the innocent cause of our trouble, and there is no use letting him if we can help it. It would make the poor little chap feel awfully bad."
As soon as it was apparent beyond all doubt that the launch was coming in to the little dock, he called the little negro to one side.
"I want you to go up to the cabin and stay there until I call you," he directed. "If I give one long whistle, come a running and bring the rifle with you."
The little negro was barely out of sight, when the big launch, its engine shut off, glided in to the dock.
Besides the sallow-faced Hunter, it contained four fellows almost as vicious and mean looking as himself. Hunter made the launch fast to a post and climbed out on the dock followed by his companions.
Our little party greeted the visitors with a pleasant good morning.
"Good morning," grunted Hunter with a snarl, "I didn't come all the way over here just to say good morning though."
"Then what did you come for?" demanded Walter curtly, his quick temper beginning to flare up at the fellow's insolent tones.
"I am going to let you know mighty quick," snarled Hunter. "You brought that little nigger over here with you, didn't you?"