"But tell me," broke in Bumpus, "if that's so, where's our boat, fellows?"
The others stared, and well they might, for although they easily recognized the pretty little beach, it was now entirely destitute of any sign of a boat!
CHAPTER XV.
THE BOY FROM THE BLUE RIDGE.
"I expected this, but not so soon!" quavered Bumpus, dropping in a heap on the ground, and continuing to mop his heated face with that enormous bandana.
The other two walked forward.
"We must make sure that this is the same place," remarked Thad. "Because, you see, there might happen to be two little sandy beaches very much alike."
"No danger of that, suh!" declared Bob, with conviction in his manner. "I took right good notice of a heap of things, and they all seem to tally. This is the same place, I give you my word on that."
"Well, here's all the proof we want," said the scout-master, pointing down at his feet, as they stood close to where the little waves were running over most of the sandy stretch. "The water has washed out some of our footprints; but you can still see where Bumpus tripped at the edge of the rise here, where that root sticks up a little. Remember that, don't you Bumpus?"