“There are plenty of them in danger, for that matter,” replied the voice, “but they are not likely to get any help from him, whoever he was. If he didn’t drown, he has probably made for the shore. I don’t see any use of our worrying about him any longer.”
“He may be clinging to the boats, as he did before,” said Don Pablo.
“We can soon find out,” was the answer. “You look all around my boat, and I’ll look around yours.”
The oarsmen slowly swung both boats, so that those in one could obtain a view of the other. There was no Billie in sight, and each speaker so reported. But, in spite of the report, Billie was right there, just the same.
Any boy who can tread water knows how easy it is to stand still, and, with little or no effort, allow a boat to which he might have attached himself to turn, without turning with it. That is just what Billie did. He practically went clear around the boat without moving. The boat did the moving instead.
Having satisfied themselves that they were alone in the middle of the river, the occupants of the boats drew them close together, and began an animated conversation in English, so that the oarsmen could not understand.
“What was all that shooting going on upstream?” asked the newcomer.
“It was the patrol. The American drew their fire,” was Don Pablo’s response. “They pretty nearly finished Emilio.”
“No great loss,” muttered the other.
“Not to you,” replied Don Pablo bitterly. “You