“Here comes R. F. D. postman number two,” shouted Alex.
As the boys listened, the splashings of the paddle came louder for a moment, then ceased entirely.
“Hello, the boat!” Alex cried. “Have you got a letter for us?”
No answer came back. There was now a break in the clouds, and the moon shone sharply down upon the swirling river, but only for an instant.
“There he comes!” cried Jule.
But the moonlight was gone, and the sound of the paddle was gone, and just at the edge of the circle of light which came from the prow, an Indian canoe glided, phantom-like, down the stream and disappeared.
[CHAPTER II—A TREACHEROUS GUEST]
“Do you suppose that is the fellow Captain Joe caught prowling around the stem of the boat?” asked Jule as the canoe disappeared down the river.
Captain Joe answered the question by trotting up to the prow and snarling at the disappearing canoe.
“Now, what do you think he wanted here, anyway?” asked Alex.