"There
are three of them at least, according to the gasoline chap back there,
and there are twelve of us, but if they have guns--"
"We've got two revolvers," said Perry eagerly. "Shall I get them,
Steve?"
"Yes, fetch them up here, but we don't want to use them unless in
self-defence. Don't forget the cartridges, Perry. Now suppose we mosey
up to where we can talk to them, fellows."
"That's the ticket," agreed Wink Wheeler. "If they get to acting ugly,
why, I guess there are enough of us to handle them. I think the best way
is to beat it right up there and tell them to hand the boat over."
"And if they decline?" inquired Phil.
"Go in and take it!"
"And, as like as not, get shot full of holes! No, thanks!" This from
"Brownie."
"How would it do for some of us to land and keep out of sight and come
around back of them?" asked Cas Temple.
"What are we going to do with them if we catch them?" Tom Corwin wanted
to know. "Take them back and hand them over to the police?"
"I don't believe they'll let us catch them," answered Phil. "Either
they'll take to that small boat they've got astern there or they'll try
to make a dash past us."
[Illustration: "It is!" he cried. "We've got her, fellows!"]
"Much good that would do them!" Harry shrugged his shoulders.
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