“I just put through the jungle as tight as I could jump, and suddenly come face to face with a scrouching lion as big as a elephant, all ready to pounce upon me, and there I was between two fires.

“You might say three, because I was on the edge of a swamp and there was a big alligator with his mouth wide open, ready to swaller me the minute I got into the swamp.”

Percival gave Jack a knowing wink and said: 

“Well, that was a dilemma.  What did you do?”

“Well, I just didn’t know what to do, ’cause whichever way I went there was danger.  The lion and the ‘gator was in front an’ the savage niggers behind, and it was as bad to stand still as to run and no port in a storm.”

“Well?” and Dick gave Jack a wink.

“I just didn’t do nothin’, ’cause good luck did it for me.  The niggers run plump into the jaws of the lion or smack into the ‘gator, an’ in a brace o’ shakes one an’ t’other was so stuffed full o’ meat that they had no appetite for me, an’ I just laid a course down the river an’ found my mates in a jiffy.”

“That’s another steal from Baron Munchausen with a few variations,” laughed Percival.  “Did you ever hear of him, Ben?”

“Huh! they’s no ‘arthly use o’ spinin’ any yarns to you, young gentlemen, ’cause you don’t believe ’em nohow,” muttered Ben in a disgusted tone, and then he gave way upon the oars and did not say another word.

When the boys reached the vessel, shortly before dinner, Jack told the captain of what he had heard and seen, the officer being greatly interested, and saying shortly: 

“If the fellow in the cove has a pilot on board maybe we can hire him to take us out or maybe force him to do it.  You couldn’t signal to the cutter, I suppose?”

“No, we had no means.  She has gone to the other side of the island now, probably in search of the other vessel.  You have not had any message from the one that is coming to our assistance?”

“No, I have not, but I expect her to-day or to-morrow.  Could you find the cove where the smuggler is hidden?”

“I might,” answered Jack thoughtfully.

“If I can find her before she gets out,” the captain continued, “I’ll catch him, and make him take us out of the bay to the open.  Then I’ll turn him over to the cutter, and get the reward.  These fellows captured one of our vessels, and it’ll be only turn about, which is fair play for everybody.”

“Are your men armed?” asked Jack.  “Remember, these men are ready for fight at any moment.  They always expect it, and are prepared.  They act in defiance of the government, and know that if caught they will be imprisoned, and they are always on the defensive.”

“Yes, I know that, but if I can take them by surprise they won’t have a chance to fight.”

“Well, I will try to find the cove for you, sir, but, of course, I cannot join in any fight you may have with the smugglers.  The doctor would not allow it.”