“They’ve been on board and ransacked the cabin. They found no one there! Now, what do you think has become of Clay?” he added.
“It’s a wonder they didn’t run off with the boat,” Case said.
“Oh, they wouldn’t do that,” Alex. ventured. “They want to get us. I half believe the men are officers. What gets me is what they built that fire for?”
“Probably thought we were fools enough to run up to it,” hazarded Jule.
“But where is Clay?” demanded Case. “We’ve got to find him. Do you know if they left any one on board the boat?”
“I didn’t hear anything said about that,” was the reply, “but it is a cinch that they did. And I believe there’s more than one on board, too.”
“Hard luck to lose the boat after getting so far on our journey!” Jule commented.
“We don’t lose the boat, if they are officers,” Alex. hastened to say. “What they want is the crew! We’ll fool ’em at that. I’m going to swim over and see what’s doing on board. If everything is all right, I’ll make a noise like an owl.”
“That’s a nice long swim,” Case objected. “I don’t think you can make it.”
“Mose made it, didn’t you, coon?” Alex. replied. “I’m the boy that poured the water into the Mississippi! Nice adventure this?” he continued. “I’m going to give the residents of the valley a chromo each for the manner in which we have been entertained by them! Here goes for the Rambler!”