James Otis

“ To attempt to search for the men, alone and on foot, seemed the height of folly, and while he stood near the water's edge deliberating upon the question of whether he could replenish his stock of provisions without paying a visit to the settlement, the rustling of the bushes proclaimed an arrival.
Jet looked around, half expecting to see his seedy friend of the previous evening come back to tell him it was all a joke, when the small guide Jim stepped into view. ”

“ Will you climb up without making a row, or must I use force?"
"I will obey," Harvey replied with a smile, as Jet backed toward him, and a few seconds later the boy was making his way through the underbrush.
Jet's burden was heavier than he had anticipated, and he staggered from side to side before twenty yards had been traversed, causing Harvey to say firmly:
"It is no use for you to try anything of the kind, Jet. This will only result in both of us being overhauled."
"Here's a place where we can stop for a rest," and Jet halted in front of a thick clump of fir bushes. ”

“ When the sun was an hour high Jet awakened his companion, and said, as he prepared to take his turn at sleeping:
"Be sure to call me at sunset, and keep your eyes on those fellows all the time. I don't reckon there's much chance of their being able to get free; but we mustn't run any risks."
His orders were obeyed to the letter, and the sun had but just sunk behind the trees when Jim shook him into wakefulness as he was instructed to do.
"I haven't seen so much as a boat," he said. "The men have been quiet as mice, sleeping a good deal of the time. When shall we start for the island?" ”

“ Harvey cried, as he drew his revolver and rushed at full speed up the ladder.
Jet was close at his heels. He intended to take a man's part in the capture, and for the time being all thought of danger was forgotten. ”

“ Jet asked in alarm.
"You will be deprived of your liberty, but it is very different from going to jail."
"Don't do that! Please don't do that! I've just got a job where I can earn a good deal of money, and it'll knock me out of it. Besides," Jet added as a lucky thought occurred to him, "if I keep on about my business I may see them fellers again."
"You advance a very good argument, and, in fact, I am depending on you to do that same thing, but how shall I know that you won't give us the slip?" ”

“ Jet knew he must do his best, or suffer for what had been done.
He could see nothing which would serve as a weapon, and was thinking it might be best to make a break for freedom, when the man sprang upon him.
Luckily he succeeded in avoiding a blow from the cane, by seizing with both hands the tramp's right arm, and then came a desperate struggle.
Not for a moment did he dare to release his hold lest the fellow should be able to use his weapon, and in the meanwhile he was pummeled soundly. ”

“ In case we land without his knowledge, the thing must be worked exactly as was the other: creep up till we see him, and take advantage of the first chance that offers."
"Shall I carry the gun?"
"No; here is the revolver, and be sure to use it if things get hot. We shall be fighting for our lives when we tackle him."
Jet took hold on one side of the boat, and Jim with an expression of despair on his face, cared for the other, launching the little craft without a splash. ”

“ Jim asked in a voice trembling with fear.
"Fight him off if he tries to come inside this thicket. It will be strange if two of us, well armed and under cover, can't hold our own against one man."
"But how is it to end? He may keep us shut up here till the provisions are all gone."
"There is no need to look so far ahead. Get your gun and come with me."
Jim obeyed very unwillingly.
This was one of the moments when he felt more like running away than fighting, but Jet took good care that he should not have an opportunity. ”

“ At that instant a shrill whistle sounded twice, and Jet said, in a mournful tone:
"Now they are trying to get into the house."
"There's the answer," the detective said, a moment later. "We shall hear some firing soon, whether they are successful or not."
He had hardly ceased speaking when the sound of firearms rang out on the still air, and Harvey exclaimed, as he pointed toward the sky:
"We'll hope they tried their plan too late. Day is breaking, and in the clearing it should be possible to distinguish the forms of men quite distinctly. ”

“ Bob and Sam had just concluded their arrangements for a craft, and were loading it not more than twenty yards away.
Before Jim returned they had started alone.
These two who thought more of hiding themselves than of hunting or fishing, did not need a guide.
Jet kept his eyes fixed on them as they rowed leisurely down the lake, and when Jim returned, he said:
"See here, can't we keep about half a mile behind those fellows?"
"What do you want to do that for? They won't know where to find the best sport." ”

“ Where are you, Jim?"
"Here," was the prompt reply, and Jet saw the small guide coming rapidly from his place of concealment.
"Stand on one side of that fellow so you won't spoil my aim, and take his revolver away. Be quick, and don't fear his hurting you, for he can't make but one move."
Bob scowled fiercely; but did not dare to offer any resistance. Perhaps if he had known who was behind that gun the case might have been different; but there was every reason to believe an officer held it, and he could not afford to run any risk. ”

“ Do you want to queer the whole show?"
Jet nerved himself to begin the dance, but he was so exceedingly awkward that several of the audience guyed him, a fact which deprived him of the small remnant of self-possession remaining.
Without stopping to consider what the result might be, he ran at full speed from the stage, and the spectators hooted and yelled derisively.
"What is the matter with you?" the manager asked fiercely, as he shook Jet until his teeth chattered.
"Them men are there!" the boy cried brokenly. "I must go right out an' get hold of them." ”

“ The men had finished their conversation, and were now approaching the shanty.
Jet raised the heavy cane, and stood ready for the battle.
It was not to begin as quickly as he thought, for the three men halted a few yards away, and one of them said, in a wheedling tone, as he stepped several paces nearer:
"See here, sonny, we're poor, hard-workin' carpenters out of a job. There's no need of havin' trouble with you; but we're that hungry as to make a fight seem pleasant alongside of suckin' our thumbs an' eatin' wind-puddin' all the time." ”

“ The ends of the cord-wood just grazed his clothing as he passed over them, and Jet struck the soft ground, which gave forth no warning sound to those who were in the building, on that side of the clearing where the trees were nearest.
He was unhurt, although badly shaken up, and would have started at full speed to gain the partial shelter of the forest, but for the fact that just then a heavy body leaped over the barricade.
It was one of the dogs, and Jet knew he must now fight desperately if he would live. ”

“ It was well he finished this work quickly, for he had hardly regained the shelter of the shanty when from between the branches he could see Bob rise to his feet, yawn wearily, and then come leisurely up the incline.
The decisive moment had arrived, and only by the greatest exercise of will power could Jet prevent his hands from trembling violently.
Gently pushing the muzzle of the gun through the brush which formed the side of the hut, the boy waited until the man should be within a few feet. ”

“ Jet replied, modestly, and then he added: "If you give me your word as a man that not a word shall be spoken, and no noise made, I'll leave this gag out until sunset, otherwise, it must go in again."
"I'll agree, because you've got me foul."
"Very well; but if I hear so much as a whisper it will go in your mouth again, not to be taken out till the officers get here."
"I know when I'm licked," Bob growled, "an' don't need threats after I can't help myself." ”

“ Now Harvey stopped for a final word.
"If it should happen that those fellows on the outside get the best of me, make every effort to escape."
"Not at the cost of leaving you alone."
"At any price, so that you can telegraph in my name for more men to be sent up."
"Do you want the inspector to know it?"
"No; wire the chief of police at Albany, and wait at the first station you reach for them to come. Here is money."
He handed Jet what seemed like quite a large roll of bills, and then advanced in the darkness once more. ”

“ When Jet was where he could see the new-comers Sam had been handcuffed, and was in charge of a stranger who was dressing the wound in his leg, while the detective, walking with a cane, was coming up the ascent in advance of another man.
"It seems as if you'd been in pretty snug quarters," Harvey said as he clasped Jet warmly by the hand. "Who is this fellow who has been making a target of you?"
"One of the gang we met at the house in the woods. He introduced himself to me when he was made up as a tramp, on the railroad track." ”

“ He handed Jim three dollars, and that young gentleman was so delighted at having such an amount to spend as he saw fit that all objections to the journey were forgotten.
"Go up along fast as possible; you can take your time coming back," Jet said, as his companion, shouldering the muzzle-loader, was ready to set out, "and don't delay sending that message."
"I'll fix things in great shape," was the confident reply, and then the small guide disappeared amid the foliage. ”

“ Jet rowed the boat a short distance out into the lake, and soon had all he could do to attend to his line, so rapidly did the finny denizens of the water attack the bait.
He brought ashore as many as would serve them for food during the next three days, and the small guide cooked every one.
All this work was not completed until after nightfall, and Jim was eager to be off.
"It is so dark that they can't see us now," he said, "and after the moon rises things will be different." ”

“ Jet said, bitterly, as he nerved himself for what he knew must be the final struggle.
He had good cause for fear.
After the instructions which had been given there was little chance the men would let him slip through their fingers, and, with such an incentive on their part, there was no hope the struggle could be prolonged.
The man whom he had stricken down was now on his feet, vowing vengeance, and ready to continue the fight.
"Close right in on him," the leader said as he seized a stout rail from a near-by fence. "He can only hit one blow, and the job is ended." ”

“ That Sam had been indulging to a considerable extent in liquor could be plainly understood by the sound of his voice, and again Jet felt the same misgivings which had assailed him immediately after the capture of Bob.
The new-comer had no thought of prudence; but was evidently bent on landing in front of the camp on the outside of the island.
Jet shook Jim, at the same time placing his hand over the boy's mouth to prevent a possible outcry, and whispered:
"There's no time to lose. We must get there ahead of him, or the jig is up, and, according to the noise, he's rowing mighty fast." ”

“ In this position he was unable to make any outcry; but he felt positive he could release himself from the bonds after two or three attempts.
"Now, listen to me," one of the men said, in a low tone, as he shook his fist unpleasantly near Jet's nose. "I reckon you're made fast here; but if by chance you should find anybody fool enough to untie you, and undertake to run away, it will be a case of shooting you on sight. You've been too fresh altogether, and both Joe and Bob are to blame for not having taken the wind out of your body long ago." ”

“ It the men make a camp we can send back word; but if they have the least little idea that we're on their trail there'll be a mighty good chance of our getting our throats cut."
"I'll be still as a fish; but I do wish I knew more about 'em."
"If they are arrested you can find out the whole story."
This promise seemed to satisfy Jim, and he rowed on in silence, probably fancying he was doing some skillful piece of detective work, which might be spoiled by so much as the splashing of the oars. ”

“ Jet turned as if to obey, and walked slowly toward the center of the village, until he saw that the manager had been admitted to the building, when he clambered over a fence, ran across a piece of plowed land, and stood at the rear of the out-buildings when Mr. Barker and the manager emerged. ”

“ For the instant he was conscious of nothing more than a sharp twinge such as might have been caused by the sudden application of a galvanic battery, and he pulled both triggers of his gun at the same instant.
Unfortunately neither of the bullets took effect.
At the moment he fired Sam leaped behind a tree, thus shielding himself from what might otherwise have put a speedy end to the battle.
"Stay where you are, and fire whenever he shows himself!" Jet whispered sternly to Jim, who was showing signs of beating a retreat.
"Where's the use?" the small guide whined. ”