CHAPTER XXIX
’RASTUS ABIMELECH BELSHAZZAR JOHNSON
“Who can that be?” asked Fred, as the startled boys focused their eyes on the tree.
“Search me,” replied Bobby. “But whoever it is, we want to talk to him right away. It isn’t likely he intends any harm, and maybe he’ll know a way to get out of this swamp.”
“More likely he’s lost in it, just the same as ourselves,” conjectured Fred, but followed Bobby and Lee who had already started in the direction of the tree.
When they were within twenty feet of it, they halted.
“Hello there!” sang out Bobby. “Come out from behind that tree, please. We want to talk to you.”
A woolly head peered cautiously around the side of the tree and then a diminutive darkey boy appeared in full view.
Recognition on both sides was instantaneous.
“Why,” cried Lee, “that’s the boy who fell overboard on the way down from New York, the one that Bobby saved by throwing him the life preserver!”
“The one with the long name!” exclaimed Fred. “Let’s see, it was—”