“If this fog would only lift! But it seems to be growing thicker. We must feel our way.”
While the Captain was doing this, his second mate looked over the Water Witch. Its resemblance to the Deerfoot was remarkable. It was probably two or three feet shorter, but that was the only noticeable difference. The model was the same, even to the color of the paint used. As has already been said, however, there were only four seats while the Deerfoot had six. The similarity of the craft was proved by the fact that Alvin Landon boarded and ran it for quite a number of miles before even the slightest suspicion entered his mind.
All landmarks were shut from view until, as may be said, the launch ran against them. The boys had little or no acquaintance with the river they were ascending, and only here and there were they able to identify certain landings or towns from their previous study of the map. Alvin knew he was creeping northward, and sooner or later must reach the point which he left during the latter part of the night. Even the landing would not be recognized without close study, and possibly not even then.
Had not the noise made by the progress of the launch shut out a certain sound and had not the dense fog hidden something from sight, the two would have made a startling discovery within the hour which followed their turning back. But no knowledge of that nature came to them.
The boys agreed that they would not reach their destination until long after their change of course. Neither noted when this was done, but Chester now looked at his watch and found it showed a few minutes to seven.
“A good hour for breakfast,” he remarked, “and my appetite is with me, as I am sure yours is with you.”
Alvin nodded and kept his eye on the receding shore and the water ahead.
“Mike is to be envied, for the good woman and especially the daughter will give him the best their house can afford. These boats don’t carry a large stock of provisions—who knows but there’s something of the kind on board?”
He asked the Captain to rise while he lifted the cushioned lid of the locker upon which he had been sitting. The next moment Chester uttered a joyous cry.
“Hurrah! we’re in luck!”