"Isn't it!" agreed Ruth, with tears in her eyes. But they were tears of joy, now.
"This came in the nick of time," murmured Russ to Paul. "I was about ready to give up."
"Yes?" agreed Paul, half-questioningly. "And yet isn't it queer we don't see some sign of life?" he asked, in a low voice. "We have made noise enough, but no one has come out of that hut. And the hut itself doesn't seem like a very permanent sort of residence; does it?"
"Indeed it doesn't," spoke Russ. "But it may be one just put up for a night or two by a hunter. Anyhow, we'll soon find out what it means, and if anyone is there who can tell us which way to go."
He and Paul resumed their rowing and a little later were close beside the moored motor boat. It was a large craft, and well appointed, though now it showed signs of being weather-beaten; it was scratched and marred. But it seemed to be in good running order.
"Ahoy there!" called Russ, as he made fast their own boat. "Ahoy in the hut!"
There was no answer.
"Maybe they're asleep," suggested Ruth.
"We can apologize for waking them up," said Alice. "Oh, to think we have help at last!"
Russ and Paul looked at each other. They were not quite so sure, now, in view of the silence, that help was at hand.