But the afternoon was well advanced, and night was much nearer than they had thought, as they were soon to discover.
At last, Barney cried:
"Oi see loight enough ahead! We must be near out av th' woods."
Frank said nothing. For a long time he had been certain they were on the wrong course, but he hoped it would bring them out somewhere. He had noted the light that indicated they were soon to reach the termination of the cypress swamp, but he held his enthusiasm in check till he could be sure they had come out somewhere near where they had entered the dismal region.
Professor Scotch grew enthusiastic immediately.
"Ha!" he cried, punching Frank in the back. "What do you think now, young man? Do you mean to say that we don't know our business? What if we had accepted your way of getting out of the swamp! We'd been in there now, sir."
"Don't crow till you're out of the woods," advised Frank.
"Begobs! Oi belave he'd be plazed av we didn't get out at all, at all!" exclaimed Barney, somewhat touched.
In a short time they came to the termination of the cypress woods, but, to the surprise of Barney and the professor, the swamp, overgrown with tall rushes and reed-grass, continued, with the water course winding away through it.
"Pwhat th' ould boy does this mane?" cried the Irish lad.