Free at last!
They stopped to untie the sheet and hide it behind a bush, and then hurried noiselessly on. Their sneakers allowed them to advance rapidly, and in absolute silence. In a short time they reached the water’s edge. But here they encountered difficulty: the canoe was gone!
“Of course,” whispered Marjorie, “we might have known the miserable wretch would think of that. Never mind, we’ll beat him all the same! Let’s swim across! I know there’s a path on the opposite shore and we’ll be less likely to be caught!”
Fortunately, the night was warm, and the girls felt no shock as they plunged into the dark water. They were both exceptionally good swimmers; otherwise the weight of their clothes might have seriously retarded their progress.
“I’ve never been in swimming at night before,” remarked Marjorie, as she made her way rapidly through the water.
“Oh, I have, heaps of times,” said Frieda.
“Do you ’spose we’ll take cold?” asked the other, a minute later.
“Not if we walk fast. And let’s—I’m not a bit tired, are you?”
“I should hope not, after this afternoon’s sleep. Let’s hurry, and not lose a minute!”
They found that the path was plainly visible in the moonlight; and they walked as fast as they could, glancing nervously over their shoulders now and again, as if in fear of pursuit.