He was preparing to put his plan into execution when Frank reappeared, swinging down the bank with less precaution than before and obviously in a state of high excitement.
“Fellows, that was ‘Black George’ and his engineer and nearly a score of Chinese,” he said. “They’re moving fast down the canyon. Matt Murphy and a handful of men have been left behind. I overheard ‘Black George’ and his engineer in whispered conversation, and I gathered what their plan is. I was crouching in a tree up here above the trail. Their plan is for Matt Murphy and his gang to keep our men bottled up in the stockade, while ‘Black George’ goes down to try to surprise and capture the Sub Chaser.”
“Evidently Ensign Warwick’s Chinese guide was a traitor all right,” said Jack.
“First thing, Jack, is to radio Robbins and warn him what’s coming,” suggested Bob.
“Right,” said Jack, and turned to comply.
Frank again swung up to the trail to guard against surprise while Jack telephoned. At the conclusion of his conversation, Jack called to him in a low voice and Frank returned to the boat.
“Robbins suggests that we attack Matt Murphy and his party from the rear,” he said. “Murphy cannot have many men left, probably merely enough to keep dropping a shot now and then and lead our men in the stockade to believe all ‘Black George’s’ men still face them. If we open vigorous fire from different quarters it will seem to Matt’s men that reinforcements have arrived to attack them in the rear and they may make a break to get away. Moreover, the sound of the firing will induce our fellows to come out of the stockade. Shall we try it?”
“Me, too,” declared Frank, ungrammatically.
“One thing we must all remember, however,” Jack said firmly. “That is, not to take chances. Keep a considerable distance from the enemy. We don’t want to shoot any of them, but merely to frighten them into withdrawing.”
“All right,” said Bob, impatient for action. “Come on.”
Examining their revolvers by flashlight to see that all was in order, the boys scrambled ashore with Frank in the lead, as he had acquired a familiarity with the route. The boat was tied securely to the bank.
Walking in Indian file, they proceeded along the trail to the bend earlier described by Frank. Rounding it, they saw open before them the valley of which Frank also had spoken. Although there was no moon, their eyes were accustomed to the darkness, and by the pale light of the stars they could see sufficiently well to gain a good idea of their surroundings.