The tall watcher seemed to interpret the situation just as Clay did, for he turned away with a shrug of his shoulders and disappeared in the canyon, which parted just below the place where Clay stood, one dip running to the northeast and one to the southeast. He took the one pointing to the southeast, passing near the boat, and was soon lost to view.
Clay made no attempt to follow him. Indeed, the sudden appearance of the fellow there seemed so unaccountable, so impossible, in fact, that the boy almost doubted the correctness of his eyesight. Still, there was the testimony of Captain Joe, who was more than anxious to follow the fellow, and this was not to be disputed.
The boy resolved not to mention the matter to his chums. It could do no good, and, besides, such a course would prevent a great deal of anxiety on the part of the strange boy, who still shuddered at mention of the pass and the happenings there. Directly Alex came running up.
“How’s the boat-builder by this time?” he asked. “Going along all right, eh?” he added, as he noted the progress made by the fire in the heart of the log. “I’ve brought the saw and the knives, as you see,” he continued, throwing the tools down on the ground, “and we’ll have a cedar canoe in about two minutes and a half.”
He brushed away a mass of coals and cut sharply into the bottom of the burn with a hatchet. The result of his examination seemed to be entirely satisfactory, for he rolled the log over, tipping out the fire and crushing it out by rolling the log over it.
“The burn is deep enough,” he said. “If it had burned a few minutes more it would have weakened the bottom. Now, I’ll bring some water from the river, put out the fire inside and begin chopping. We’ll have a canoe we’ll be proud of before long. Great idea, what? Do you think you can ride in it after we get it launched?” he added, with a wrinkling nose.
“Of course I can,” replied Clay, indignantly. “All you’ve got to do in order to ride a cedar canoe is to keep your head and your balance.”
“There’s one more thing you’ve got to do,” Alex laughed.
“What is it?” asked the other. “Tell me about it, so I’ll know!”
“You’ve got to get used to riding under water about half the time,” announced Alex gravely. “When it tips over you’ve got to hang to it and wait for the top to come around to the sky again. Do you think you can get used to journeys under water? I think they’ll be rather pleasant.”