But Shasta showed no disposition to wait, or to indulge in the solace of the weed. Motioning to his friends to enter the boat, he towed them to the center of the river, where he loosed the fastenings, and without a word or sign he headed his canoe up stream and sped away.
"He is going home," said Howard.
"He must imagine that we are owld enough to walk alone," remarked Tim as he took the paddle.
"But why not bid us good-by?" asked Elwood.
"As he has already done so," replied Howard, "he doubtless does not believe in adding a postscript."
CHAPTER XLIX.
HOMEWARD BOUND.
Now that our friends were left entirely alone, it became a question whether they should continue journeying by day or night.
"It seems to me that we are approaching a more civilized part of the country," said Howard. "I think there will be little risk in continuing our journey."