“Did you hear a shout?”
“No, Ben.”
“Well, I did. It sounded like a cry of distress. And see,” added Ben excitedly, “from that cellar window. Some one is waving a handkerchief.”
“I see it—I see it,” said Bob.
“A shout for help and a signal of distress,” said Ben thoughtfully, “Bob, I’m going to investigate this mystery.”
CHAPTER XXIV
HOMEWARD BOUND
Ben beckoned to the Indian, but the latter refused to come beyond the protecting fringe of bushes. Ben approached him and pointed to the island.
“I want to go there,” he said.
The guide professed great concern and terror. He was genuinely frightened. Nothing could prevail upon him to accompany the boys. In a disconnected way and with numerous gesticulations, he made it clear that bad white men were somewhere about the island waiting to annihilate all intruders.