Roland had heard the hail, and his canoe was now coming swiftly on towards the bank. Dick ran to meet him.
When he half-pulled his friend on shore and turned back with him, behold! Peter was gone.
[CHAPTER XVIII--AS IF STRUCK BY A DUM-DUM BULLET]
Roland and Dick walked quickly towards the camp.
It was all a scene of bustle and stir indescribable, for good news as well as bad travels apace.
"Bill and the boats are coming!" Englishmen were shouting.
"Beel and de boats!" chorused the Indians.
But on the approach of "the young captains", as the boys were called, comparative peace was restored.
"Had anyone seen Mr. Peter?" was the first question put by our heroes to their white officers. "No," from all.
"He had disappeared for a few moments in his tent," said an Indian, "then der was no more Massa Peter."