What Frank was about to suggest was never spoken. Tom Somers jerked his arm to signify that he had better cease whispering; and as Frank twisted his head around to see what had happened to alarm their new comrade, he discovered moving figures approaching from the same quarter they had themselves come out of.
His first thought was that Sheriff Dodd had arrived with his posse. Indeed, it was only with a supreme effort that he refrained from leaping to his feet and wildly beckoning. Then he was glad he had been guilty of no such foolish act, for he learned that this was far from being the truth.
"They've come back!" exclaimed Tom, in a low tone, yet plainly disturbed; "looks like they wanted to make sure of me, and had follered us here so as to corral me!"
Then Frank understood. The flight of Pet Peters and his followers had been, after all, something of a bluff, for they had again left the western shore and landed on Wildcat Island; more than that, they were even now creeping toward the cabin, as if bent upon some desperate undertaking!
Frank was counting the shadowy figures that came flitting closer, stooping over as they advanced, some carrying cudgels, and others different kinds of weapons as if they expected trouble presently.
"Five, six--what, seven, yes, and eight! Where did they pick up the other two members of the crowd?" he was saying to himself as he gazed from his snug retreat.
Then he noticed that a couple were armed with guns. This gave him a clue which he easily followed to a logical conclusion. On the western shore of the lake Pet and his disgruntled followers must have run across a couple of their cronies, who were apparently out hunting, though the law allowed of no shooting of game at this time of year.
These fellows may even have been acting with the sheriff, who had offered a certain reward for the apprehension of the hobo thieves. Upon exchanging stories it may have been decided to return to the island in a bunch, and make a bold attempt to round up the tramps, who were believed to be without any guns. That reward would look big in the eyes of these fellows.
No doubt the presence of the old cabin was known to these boys, and they had guessed that their quarry might be found hiding there in the heart of the jungle.