“Yes, I suppose so, but it rather takes the conceit out of a fellow to meet with so many obstacles.  Why, I always thought I was good in making my way through tangled woods, but I begin to think that I am not.”

“There is one thing you have forgotten, Jack.  We are in the tropics, the woods here are regular jungles and the temperature is something considerably above what you have been used to.  You must not scold yourself too much, Jack.  I think we have done very well—­’sh, what’s that!” in a hoarse whisper, and looking around him with alarm.

“Some one coming, Dick.  Hide, quick!”

CHAPTER XVIII

IN THE LAIR OF THE FOX

The boys quickly secreted themselves in the high grass, and in a few moments several men came into the glade, evidently in great excitement.

“We’ve got to get him quick,” said one.  “Is this the right way, do you think?  We can’t waste no time waiting around here with that revenue cutter hanging around.”

“Him and Davis went over to this side ’cause he wanted to show Davis that there was a vessel in the bay, and now this here other one is hanging about, and she may come to our side and find us,” said another.  “This here is the way, I think, but I ain’t sure.”

“Well, come on and find him,” growled a third man.  “As you say, we’d better not waste no time with a revenue cutter hanging about and looking for us.  Come on!”

The men hurried on, and when there was no longer any sign of them Jack arose and said: 

“They have seen a vessel outside, probably from one of the hills, and have taken the alarm.  It is likely that this is the vessel Mr. Smith has sent to get us out.  I hardly believe she is a revenue cutter, although these men would hardly be deceived on that point.”

“They might,” said Percival.  “They would take alarm at anything.  I think myself that it is likely to be the vessel sent to get us out.  She should be here by this time, according to our calculations.  Let us get on the hill, Jack, and have a look at her ourselves.  We may be able to tell what she is if we can get a good look at her.”

“Very good,” and the boys at once struck out in a direction which they judged would take them into one of the paths leading to the northern end of the island.

They reached one in five minutes, and then pushed on till they came to the open, and in another few minutes came out upon a higher level whence a fairly good view of the open sea could be obtained.

“There she is!” cried Jack, pointing out to sea.  “She is a cutter, Dick.  The men were right.  She is under a good head of steam, too, as you can tell by the smoke pouring from her funnels.  She is cruising about here, and is evidently in search of some one.  Perhaps she suspects that Davis is in here, and is trying to locate him.”

The boys watched the cutter for ten minutes, and then saw her alter her course, and take one which would bring her around to the other side of the island.