Mose shivered at the thought. He was now climbing higher. When near the top he gave another yell and hustled down to a lower limb, where he sat with his hands clinging tightly to the trunk.
“Fo’ de Lawd’s sake!” he shrieked.
“What is it now?” asked Jule. “If you don’t come down I’ll shoot you!”
Mose pointed to the rim of the light zone and cried that the river robbers had come to get the boat. The boys looked where he pointed and saw three young men standing in a submerged grove of cypress trees. All were armed and all were bearded and forbidding in appearance. As the boys looked one stepped forward.
“Just a second,” Clay called. “That is near enough!”
[CHAPTER XX—THE DARKEY UP THE TREE]
While Case talked with the young man Clay went back into the cabin to talk with Alex., who was now changing into dry clothing.
“Do you think the story that man is telling is all right?” he asked.
“I think he is telling the truth about the river thieves,” Alex. replied.
“I was wondering if that wasn’t just a bait to help them get on board.”