“Why sir,” said McGowan solemnly, “as sure as you and I stand here, I seen a light moving about on the island.”
This being the case, McGowan and the two silent Smiths at once returned to the women, while the others passed down the shore of the island. They had gone a considerable distance in silence when young Smith suddenly caught the arm of the Irishman like a vice, and without a word pointed meaningly toward the trees where the alarming manifestations had first been seen. There was no mistaking this time. Napyank saw a bright light shining steadily through the trees—so brightly and steadily that he was certain it could not be far from them. Moving back more closely under the shadow of their own tree, he whispered,
“We must find out what the dogs are doing.”
“I say, there ought to be only one or two of us,” said young Smith. “Suppose you let me and Joe go?”
“I can, to be sure, but then what use would it be?” replied the hunter. “I can go, while you stay here and keep watch.”
“And where’s the naad of our keeping watch here?”
“You know some of the Injins might slip onto the island while I’m gone, and it wouldn’t take them long to play the mischief with the women folks.”
“Do yees do the same duty then, for I’m naaded ilsewhere, and here’s good luck to yees,” said Teddy.
“But——”
But the Irishman and hunter disappeared.