“They may have heard we were coming and be hiding,” said Mason.
“Trying to ambush us,” agreed Uncle Tod.
“We’d better be careful. They’re desperate men.”
But Mason and his deputies were cunning men, as well as brave, and by scouting around, and by tricks designed to draw the fire of any hidden foe, should there prove to be one, they soon established that the camp was deserted.
“They’ve vamoosed!” exclaimed Sam. “They’ve quit and we can turn the river back.”
“It does look so,” agreed Mason. “But don’t be in too much of a rush. Go slow!”
It was good advice, and was followed. But after another wait and a further cautious scouting around, it was definitely established that not a man was left in camp, though their possessions, scattered about, showed they had not long been away, and also indicated that they had departed in a hurry.
“They heard we were coming and scooted,” said Sam exultantly.
“Looks so,” agreed Uncle Tod. “Well, now let’s turn back our river where it belongs.”
The mechanism of the water gates was easy to understand, and no trouble was experienced in working it. To Uncle Tod fell the honor of closing the first gate that shut off the water from the Lawson flume.