“The people in the hut out there in the swamp,” he answered. “Did you see it as you came along?”
The girls assured him that they had noticed the hut and asked him eagerly what he and Fol knew about the people who lived there.
“They seem a rough set, and that is all we know for a fact,” responded Fol.
“We will tell you all about that hut later on,” said Burd, turning eagerly toward that part of the swamp and forest which they had not already explored. “Just now, I think we had better stir ourselves again. I have a feeling in my bones that we are getting close to Darry.”
It occurred to Jessie that the boys must want food after their two harassed days in the open, and she offered them some of the sandwiches they had brought along.
Burd and Fol accepted eagerly, but they would not let hunger delay them. They munched at the food as they plodded on through the swamp, hoping always that they would come upon Darry’s trail.
“Look here—see what I have found!” called Jessie, suddenly, and she held up a piece of torn cloth that had caught upon a bush. She was trembling so with excitement that she could hardly speak.
“It is part of Darry’s jacket!” she went on. “Look, Amy. You know it is, don’t you?”
“It is, it is!” cried Amy, pressing the bit of cloth hysterically to her face. “Darry, Darry, what have they done to you? If they dared to hurt you I would——” She clenched her fist threateningly and Burd took her by the arm, gently leading her on.
“Come on. I have an idea,” he said eagerly. “That piece of cloth may mean a lot, if my suspicion is correct, Jess. Look here!”