"I'm upset if ever a fellow was," he thought. "Well, no wonder. Such happenings as these are enough to upset anybody."
Tom knew of nothing more to do than to return to where he had left
Dick, and this he did as quickly as the tired horse would carry him.
"No success, eh?" said the oldest Rover. "What do you make of it, Tom?"
When he had heard his brother's tale he grew unusually grave.
"You are sure you heard them scream?" he questioned, anxiously.
"I'm sure of nothing—now. I thought I was sure about the houseboat, but
I wasn't," answered Tom, bluntly. "I'm all mixed up."
"I'll go down there with you," was the only answer Dick made.
It did not take long to reach the spot. It was now dark and a mist was rising from the river.
"This is certainly the spot where we tied up," declared the oldest
Rover. "Why, I helped to drive that stake myself."
"Then the houseboat is gone!"