CHAPTER XXX 

THE DEFENSE OF THE CAVE--SAVED! 

"He has fainted, poor fellow!" said Dick, as he bent over the unconscious form of Bostwick. 

"We ought to git back to the house at once!" put in old Jerry. "We must warn the cap'n and the others of what Lesher and his crowd intend to do." 

"That is true, but we can't leave this poor chap here. He might die for the want of care," came from Tom. 

"We'll take him along," said Dick. "Come, lift him up." 

As carefully as they could they lifted the unconscious form up and bore it to where the rowboat was lying. Soon all were on board, and while Tom did his best to revive Bostwick, Dick and old Jerry bent their back to the oars, pulling as they had seldom pulled before. 

The beach in front of the house was almost gained when they heard a shot ring out, followed by several others. 

"Just as I feared!" groaned Dick. "Lesher and the others have begun the attack!" 

"Then we'll have to be careful how we land," said old Jerry. "If we aint, we may run right into 'em!" 

There was no moon, but the stars shone brightly, so the beach line was dimly visible in the distance. Standing up in the bow, Tom saw a flash of fire from the jungle below the house, and heard the crack of a firearm. Then he saw some dark forms running along the beach. 

"Our party is making for the cave!" he cried. "We had better turn in that direction." 
Who was loaded on the boat unconscious?
 the unconscious form of Bostwick. 