Jake stopped, for he heard a faint rustle, as if a bush had been shaken, and Dick looked up. The moon had not yet risen, thin mist drifted out of the jungle, and it was very dark. There was some brush in front of the building and a belt of tall grass and reeds grew farther back. Without moving the upper part of his body, he put his foot under the table at which they sat and kicked Jake's leg. "What was that about Adexe?" he asked in a clear voice, and listened hard. He heard nothing then, for Jake took the hint and began to talk about the coaling station, but when the lad stopped there was another rustle, very faint but nearer. Next moment a pistol shot rang out and a puff of acrid smoke drifted into the veranda. Then the brushwood crackled, as if a man had violently plunged through it, and Jake sprang to his feet. "Come on and bring the lamp!" he shouted, running down the steps. Dick followed, but left the lamp alone. He did not know who had fired the shot and it might be imprudent to make himself conspicuous. Jake, who was a few yards in front, boldly took a narrow path through the brush, which rose to their shoulders. The darkness was thickened by the mist, but after a moment or two they heard somebody coming to meet them. It could hardly be an enemy, because the man wore boots and his tread was quick and firm. Dick noted this with some relief, but thought it wise to take precautions. "Hold on, Jake," he said and raised his voice: "Who's that?" "Payne," answered the other, and they waited until he came up. "Now," said Jake rather sharply, "what was the shooting about?" "There was a breed hanging round in the bushes and when he tried to creep up to the veranda I plugged him." "Then where is he?" "That's what I don't know," Payne answered apologetically. "I hit him sure, but it looks as if he'd got away." "It looks as if you'd missed. Where did you shoot from?" Payne beckoned them to follow and presently stopped beside the heap of ironwork a little to one side of the shack. The lighted veranda was in full view of the spot, but there was tall brushwood close by and behind this the grass. "I was here," Payne explained. "Heard something move once or twice, and at last the fellow showed between me and the light. When I saw he was making for the veranda I put up my gun. Knew I had the bead on him when I pulled her off." "Then show us where he was." Payne led them forward until they reached a spot where the brush was broken and bent, and Jake, stooping down, struck a match. "I guess he's right. Look at this," he said with shrinking in his voice. The others saw a red stain on the back of his hand and crimson splashes on the grass. Then Dick took the match and put it out. "The fellow must be found. I'll get two or three of the boys I think we can trust and we'll begin the search at once."