But the trail led over a hill and through a dense thicket, and long before the journey was half finished both lads were well-nigh exhausted.
"We ought to have followed the shore around—we would have got there quicker," panted Tom, as he fairly cut his way through the dense brush-wood.
"I hope there are no wild animals here."
"I doubt if there is anything very large on the island. If so, we would have seen it before this."
So speaking, they pushed on once more. The woods passed, they came to a swamp filled with long grass. They hurried around this, and then into the forest skirting the lake shore.
At last the cove came into sight. Alas! the steam tug was nowhere to be seen.
"She has gone!" groaned Sam. "Oh, what luck!
"I can't see a sign of her anywhere?" returned Tom. "She must have steamed away right after you came down the tree."
"More than likely."
Much disappointed and utterly worn out, they cast themselves down in the shade to rest. As they rested they listened intently, but only the breeze through the trees and the soft lap-lap of the waves striking the rocks reached their ears.