“It’s like a good many other things connected with Noddy,” said Jerry. “No telling what he’s up to until it’s too late.”
“Shall we take it along or leave it?” asked Bob.
“Better take it,” suggested Jerry. “It might come in handy for evidence some time, and if we leave it some one might come along and steal it. Put it in your pocket, Chunky.”
Strolling leisurely they retraced their steps, and soon were on the rude path they had followed in coming from the river.
Jerry was in the lead. When he came to the bank of the stream he suddenly stopped.
“What’s the matter? Snake?” called out Ned.
“We must have come the wrong road,” said Jerry. “The boat isn’t here.”
The other boys hurried forward and stood beside him. There was no sign of the Dartaway.
“That’s queer,” said Bob. “I thought we were on the right path coming back. It was just like the one we went over on.”
“It was the same,” insisted Ned. “There’s where the Dartaway was tied up. I know that willow tree. See, I left my sweater on it, and it’s there yet,” and he pointed to where the red garment fluttered in the wind.