"I hadn't from the first. Hist! do you hear that?"
CHAPTER XX
A Disappointment
Through the soft, impenetrable darkness stole the almost inaudible sound of a paddle, and strangely enough, only a single stroke was heard. The listening youths agreed that the point whence it came was to the north of the islet, and it was Chester Haynes who was keen witted enough to hit upon the explanation.
"Whoever it is he is trying not to betray himself; he is using his oar as a paddle, to avoid the sound of rowing."
"But we heard him," said Alvin.
"He made a slight slip and may do it again."
They listened intently for several minutes, but the stillness was unbroken. This continued for some time, when suddenly the sound was heard, fainter than before—so faintly indeed that had not the two been closely attentive they would not have noted it.
"Another slip," remarked Chester; "I guess he doesn't know how to handle a paddle very well. But he has got ahead, for he isn't where he was when we first heard him."