Taylor did not
accompany them, as the detective did not desire to involve his
confederate in any future trouble.
The party were marched toward the rendezvous, and had gone but
a short distance when the detective, in a low tone, ordered a
halt. He had discovered one of the smuggler sentinels, toward
whom he advanced.
The man commanded our hero to halt.
The detective came to a halt, and said:
"What do you want?"
"Where do you go?"
"Is there a war round here, that you send out sentinels to
stop quiet people?"
"Who are you and where do you go?"
"That's none of your business!"
"I give you two minutes to answer."
"Only two minutes?"
"One!" called the man.
"You're crazy!" said the detective.
"Two!" called the man.
The detective uttered a signal-whistle call, and seven or
eight men sprung forward.
The sentinel stood paralyzed.
"Why don't you call three?" demanded Vance.
The man made no reply.
"I had an idea that war had been declared, so I brought my
troop this way."
The man made a movement as though about to run away, when
Vance said:
"Don't move, my friend, or you will be dropped."
The detective advanced toward the fellow, who saw at once that
resistance was in vain.
The man was disarmed and a pair of handcuffs were slipped on
his wrists.
"The jig's up," muttered the smuggler.
"Yes, my friend, the jig is up."
The party moved on and soon came in sight of the smugglers,
who were running out goods to be put on board of the "Nancy.
Pages:
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148