“See that!” Alex exclaimed. “Even the bear knows there is something wrong on! If you’ll keep that twirler of yours still for a little while, I’ll go and see what it is.”
“You’re the wise little sleuth!” Case declared. “Go on back to bed and dream that you’re Nick of the Woods.”
“Tell you what,” Alex said, “we’ll tie a line to the rowboat, and I’ll row ashore, then you pull the boat back, and I’ll creep out in the thicket and see what I can discover. I believe those outlaws will gather around the campfire. Anyway, they’re foolish if they don’t.”
“If you take my advice,” Case said, “you won’t go, but if you insist on it, I’ll draw the boat back, for our own protection.”
Very reluctantly, then, Case assisted in getting the boat into the river, found a long line to attach to the prow, and helped the boy away on his journey. He felt guilty for aiding in the adventure.
Alex landed in a thicket almost straight west of the Rambler, and at once secreted himself. No signals had been heard for some moments, and the boy believed that he had reached the shore without attracting attention. Case drew the boat back and sat waiting.
Alex remained perfectly still in his hiding-place for some moments. There was only the noises of river and forest. To the west, the embers of the campfire made a faint red glow in the moonlight.
Just as the boy was about to move out of the thicket, he heard a heavy splash in the river, followed by words of command and entreaty from Case. The splashing continued, and presently the bushes at the edge of the stream were moved by an entering body.
“That’s Captain Joe!” thought Alex. “He’s always ready for a run in the woods. I suppose I ought to send him back.”
But it was not Captain Joe that thrust a wet nose into Alex’s hand. It was Teddy, the bear cub, and his greeting was so friendly and sincere that all thoughts of sending him back to the boat vanished from the boy’s mind. Teddy shook the water from his coat like a great dog, and cuddled up to the boy as if thanking him.