Part 11 (2/2)
”We'll take Tom Barnum, too,” said Jack ”He can be relied on in any crisis Wait here until I stir hi the other, Jack went outside and apprised his chu they needed to rouse thee to their airplane had thrown them Then he went to Tom Barnuer to join in the adventure Bringing three or four pistols, Jack and Tom quickly rejoined the party
”What is your idea, Captain Folsom?” Jack inquired, when all were ready to depart and everything had been ht about the station
”First of all, how far is it to Starfish Cove?”
”Between two and three miles,” answered Bob ”But the tide is out, and we shall have good going on the hard sand, and ought to ht in a half hour or a little ht land conveniently, any other place reasonably near?”
The boys and Tom Barnum shook their heads
”That's far and away the best place,” said Jack
”Well, then, I propose that we make our way close to the Cove, and then take to the cover of the trees, which you have given me to understand, coe the beach,” Bob explained
”Good With reasonable care we ought to be able toon, supposing a landing such as I have in uards on the Brownell place nowadays,” interjected Tos ”Maybe, them fellers have sentries posted”
”Well, we'll have to exercise caution e get close to the Cove,”
said Captain Folsom ”And now, if we are all ready, let us start
Every second's delay is so ain any inforhto,” said Bob, striding off ”And just let et my hands on the sneak that tried to burn the airplane,” he added, vindictively ”I'll give that gentleman a remembrance or two of the occasion”
The others fell in, and with long strides startedthe sand left hard-packed by the receding tide, under the ht
Bob set a terrific pace but, fortunately, allmen and accustomed to physical exercise, and none found it any hardshi+p to keep up with their pacemaker On the contrary, three at least enjoyed the expedition and found their spirits uplifted by the zest of this unexpected adventure undertaken at 2 o'clock in the
When they drew near the first of the two horns enclosing the little bay known as Starfish Cove, Bob pulled up, and the others came to a halt around hi, and addressing Captain Folsom, ”lies our destination I expect it would not be wise tothe sands”
Captain Folsoht We'll take to those trees up yonder I'll go first with Jack”
Unconsciously, he had taken to addressing the boys by their given names ”Do you others keep close behind”
In this order they started rove, just inside the outer belt of trees The ht on the water and the sands, and illurove in fairylike fashi+on
”Keep low and take advantage of cover,” whispered Captain Folso from tree to tree, they worked their way forward until a low exclamation from Jack halted his companion as a bit behind him The others came up
”Fence,” whispered Jack, succinctly
Sure enough There it was, just ahead, a high wire fence, the strands barbed and strung taut on steel poles