Avery passed around the spot, and finally came back to it. He seemed both perplexed and chagrined at believing that he had made some mistake. I watched him closely, anxious to know what would be the man’s next move.
At last he gave up the search; and with a final call to me to answer, or he would leave me to the fate mentioned before, he set out for the shore.
It did not take a great while to reach the spot where he had left his two companions. They were seated on some rocks, and sprang up as he approached.
“Well, what did the boy say?” demanded Yates.
“Couldn’t find him!” grumbled Avery sullenly.
“Couldn’t find Reuben!” ejaculated Mr. Norton.
“No. He has got away.”
“Impossible!” exclaimed Yates. “I tied”—
“You are always bragging about what you can do,” sneered my guardian. “Now the boy is gone and the deuce is to pay.”
“Couldn’t you see anything of him?” went on Yates, who was unwilling to believe what he had heard.