"How did you get ashore here without a paddle or anything?"
"Who is with you?"
"Why, she's gone!" cried Bill suddenly.
It was true. They looked around in vain. During the excitement of the men's landing, the dark girl had stolen unobserved to the other dugout. It lay a little downstream, and partly screened by some bushes. Putting off, and keeping close to the shore, she was soon lost to their sight.
Kitty's face fell like a child's. "Without a word of good-bye!" she said.
"She's taken our best boat," said Jim Sholto, frowning.
"She lost her own in the rapids saving me," said Kitty, with quick indignation.
Jim hastened to mollify her. "That's all right," he said. "But to steal away like this!"
"It's just like them," said Dick, "always mysterious."
"You're not very grateful," said Kitty, at the point of tears. "I tell you she saved my life."