“’Tis a new fifty-foot barge,” he exclaimed, “and four men have been at work on her—but they will never do any more work!”
“Why not?” said the captain.
“’Cause they’re dead and scalped!” replied the boy, his dark young eyes dilating with suppressed excitement.
“Redskins!” muttered several of the crew.
“But, how long ago?” questioned Marion.
“Just done!” cried Moses.
Captain Royce cast a hasty glance alongshore, and then toward the thick trees of the island, in the shadow of which they were lying.
“Are you sure? The rain would freshen the signs,” he said. “Are you very sure—and why did not Lewis come off with you?”
“He’s watching!” exclaimed Mose. “He said he would watch while I came off to tell you. There’s a path leads back from the barge to three cabins and a clearing. We smelled smoke from the cabins. Lewis said he would watch them.”
“But if redskins are about they heard you fire”, said Marion. “Stand by, to pole off, men.”