"It couldn't be Tod, could it!" came the answer, showing the same wild hope that had surged through Jerry.
"Oh—Tod!" rang out from two trembly throats on both sides of the river.
There was no reply. At least there came no answering shout. But the next instant Jerry rubbed his eyes in bewilderment. The camp fire had been blotted out as if by magic. Only the deep gloom of thick-set willows lay before him.
"The fire's gone!" came in alarmed tones from Dave.
"Tod—Oh, Tod!" rang out once more through the still night air.
This time there was an answer, but not the one the boys expected. A gruff voice demanded angrily:
"Say, you idiots—what in the thunder you want!"
"We're looking for a boy who was drowned up at——" began Jerry, who was closest to the high point where a man was presently seen stalking through the fringe of bushes.
"Boy who was drowned? Calling for him! Ye crazy loons!" interrupted the man.
"We don't know whether he was drowned or not," answered Jerry hotly.