“Two of us had better stay here in the camp,” suggested Bob, when the light became more pronounced. “If you know where Ethan lives, Jock, you’d better take the canoe and go over to his place.”
“I’ll go,” replied Jock, quickly.
The opportunity to bestir himself afforded a slight relief, and going at once to the bank he lifted the overturned canoe from its place and bore it in his arms down to the water. Quickly taking his place on board he grasped the paddle and with vigorous strokes sent the light craft swiftly over the water in the direction of the mainland. His two friends watched him as long as he could be seen and then returned to the camp. The fire had burned low by this time, but as daylight was at hand there was little use in keeping it up, and the boys occasionally stirred the embers as if in the ashes they were looking for something they had lost.
As the glow of the dawn became more pronounced, and at last the great sun itself appeared above the horizon, the waiting lads had no thought of breakfast. Even the wonderful appetite of which they had boasted on the preceding day, was not able to move them now. The keen air had lost its power, and all hunger was gone.
From time to time a boat was discovered on the river, and the lads watched each in silence until it was hidden from sight among the islands; the missing Ben did not appear. More than two hours had elapsed since Jock’s departure from the camp, when Bob suddenly exclaimed:—
“Isn’t that a canoe out there on the river?”
“Where? Where?” inquired his companion, eagerly.
“Out there in the direction of the point! Hold on a minute, and I’ll get the glasses and we’ll see what we can make of it.”
Bob hastily ran into the tent and returned with the glasses. Lifting them to his eyes he gazed long and earnestly at the little spot on the surface of the river, and then without a word handed them to his friend. Bert eagerly took them, and after he had peered intently at the distant object, he lowered the glasses and said in a low voice, “It’s a canoe, Bob, and it’s headed this way.”
“That’s what I made out of it,” replied Bob.