“As long as you stayed out there at the point, did you see or hear anything suspicious, Josh?” Buster wanted to know, when he handed the platter, heaped up with good things, to the late-comer.
“Never a sign all the time I stood sentry,” came the reply, though Josh had a little difficulty in talking and eating at the same time. “But please let me take the edge off my ferocious appetite before you throw any more questions at me, fellows. I’ll be in a more angelic humor then, mebbe.”
“Angelic—that’s pretty rich for you, Josh,” gurgled Buster; but, having enough sympathy for a hungry chum to know how Josh felt, he maintained a discreet silence after that.
Jack walked over to the near-by shore. He wanted to find out for himself how matters seemed to be going.
“Hello! That you, Jack?” said a voice suddenly, when he found himself close to the brim of the river.
It had become so dark by this time, the moon not having as yet arisen behind the clouds, that seeing was next to impossible. George, however, had heard footsteps somewhere close by, and guessed who was coming.
“Yes, where are you, George? Oh, I see you, now that you move. That’s the boat just beyond you, too. Everything lovely with you?”
“I heard something across the river that sounded as if it might be a boat being lowered that struck against the side of the monitor. Then there were voices, too. You know how queer sounds come across a mile or more of water, Jack?”
“Yes, of course I do. But if it was a boat being lowered we’ll have to change our plans somewhat,” Jack continued.