"It doesn't look very hopeful," agreed the young actor.
Noon came, and as far as could be told from listening, and from looking about, they were as far off as ever from the steamer.
"And yet it may be within a comparatively short distance of us," said Russ, as cheerfully as he could. "Only the woods are so dense that we can't see it, and if our voices and the sounds of the gun carry to the Magnolia those aboard can't tell from which direction they come."
They had been keeping on in the course first decided on—southeast—and there were many twists and turns to the trail.
"Would it be any better to get out and walk?" asked Ruth.
"I think not," said Russ. "The boat is really easiest and best for us." He did not say so, but he thought that if they had to spend another night in the open the boat would be absolutely necessary. So they remained aboard.
At noon they tied up, and went ashore to eat the last of the food. Only a little coffee remained, and as the final meagre crumbs were disposed of each one feared to look the others in the face.
What would be next—where would the next meal come from?
No one could answer.
"Well, we'd better move on, I suppose," suggested Russ, after a pause. "No good staying here."