[CHAPTER XX]
BOB TAKEN ILL
Securing the boat, Jerry took a survey of the camp. Ned and Bob had lighted other lanterns and, by their gleams, it could be seen that nothing had been taken. The improvised burglar alarm had given timely notice, or the boys might have mourned the loss of the Dartaway, as well as other of their possessions.
“They seem to have gotten away,” remarked Jerry, coming back from where he had made the motor boat fast. “I wonder how they got here?”
“In a canoe,” answered Ned, pointing to the marks of where the keel of one had rested on the little beach of the lake. “But what was that tremendous racket?”
“A little invention of mine,” and Jerry explained it.
“I wonder who they were?” asked Bob.
“Some of the same negroes with whom the professor has gone off,” replied Jerry.
“Do you really think so?”