"Do ye see inny soign av a camp, Frankie?"
"Not a sign of a camp or a human being. This is rather strange."
A strange feeling of wonder that swiftly changed to awe was creeping over them. The canoe was snowy white, and lay perfectly motionless on the still surface of the water. It was in the dark shadow beneath the trees.
"Perhaps the owner of the canoe is lying in the bottom," suggested the professor.
"We'll see about that," said Frank, putting down the bow and arrow and taking up a paddle. "Head straight for her, Barney."
With the very first stroke in that direction a most astonishing thing happened.
The white canoe seemed to swing slightly about, and then, with no visible occupant and no apparent motive power, it glided smoothly and gently toward the dark depths of the black forest!
"She's floating away from us!" cried the professor. "There must be a strong current there!"
"Nivver a bit is she floating!" gasped Barney Mulloy. "Will ye look at her go! Begobs! Oi fale me hair shtandin' on me head!"
"She is not floating!" Frank said. "See—she gains speed! Look at the ripple that spreads from her prow!"