Part 9 (2/2)

However, the conflict before him absorbed his thoughts and left him no time to worry about his own predicament. He was still wondering how the revenue men had happened to arrive at a critical time.

The explanation was as follows:

Unknown to Billy or to any of his friends, the _Petrel_ had steamed full speed to Palmetto Key; and Captain Vinton, sighting the cutter from the deck of the concealed _Arrow_, had signaled to her captain, telling him just where to land his men. This accounted for their unexpected arrival, which soon turned the tide of battle in their favor.

Creeping forward, Billy saw the smugglers fleeing in all directions, after setting fire to the two smaller cabins. As they ran, they exchanged shots with the soldiers and the revenue men; but, owing to the gloom, these shots failed to take much effect, beyond slightly wounding their captors. Fired on in turn, they ran toward the beach, past their smouldering bonfire, near which their boat was drawn up on the sands waiting to take them back to the _Esperanza_.

The light of the blazing huts now illumined the scene, and in the glow, Norton caught sight of Billy running toward them. He hailed the lad with a shout:

”Hi! Hurry up, Billy! Where have you been all this time?”

”Watching the fight!” shouted Billy, whose voice sounded doleful.

”Wis.h.i.+ng I could b.u.t.t into it earlier! Come on, come on! We're chasing 'em!”

”Hold on!” Norton exclaimed loudly. ”We've had about enough of this.

Here we'll stay, my boy, and let our better-armed friends capture the gang. When they get to their boat it will be a case of 'first come, first served' to get away. Most of them'll be caught and captured. Meanwhile, it's up to us to find Hugh. He must be in that largest shanty there, unless-----”

”Come on!” yelled Billy, seeing his brother scouts already commencing the search.

He dashed over to the remaining shanty and flung himself against the door.

”Hugh, Hugh!” he called. ”Are you in there?”

No answer---only the roaring and crackling of the flames as they devoured the old walls and crumbling roof of the nearby abandoned dwellings.

”Hugh!” shouted Alec and Chester, banging on the door, while Mark ran around the cabin, looking in vain for a window or other means of entrance.

The door gave way and the three scouts rushed in, followed by Norton.

Dave stood in the doorway, his lanky form with the red glare of the fire behind it casting a grotesque shadow on the interior wall of the cabin. He remained there on guard, lest any of the smugglers should return.

Alec struck a match. Its sputtering flame lighted the single room, dispelling the shadows for a brief moment. Anxiously they all peered around the dingy shanty.

”Hugh, where are you?” said Billy in a hoa.r.s.e whisper. ”Are you here? Can't you speak?”

Still no answer.

Then Alec's match went out.

”Have you another match?” asked Norton.

Like Billy's, his voice was husky. A vague dread seemed to seize him, weighing down upon him like a tangible thing.

”Yes,” said Alec. ”Here's one more---the last.”

Again he struck a light and a hasty search was made. Every moment was precious.

In vain. The cabin was empty.

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