“But why?” wailed Penny. “I wish now I hadn’t told you about that old boar!”
“It hain’t the boar that’s got me worried.”
“Then you must be afraid of something on Black Island—something you learned today and are keeping to yourself!”
“Maybe that’s it,” returned Joe briefly. “Anyhow, we hain’t goin’. And it won’t do no good to try coaxin’ me with yer female wiles. My mind’s made up!”
Having delivered himself of this ultimatum, the guide plied his paddle steadily.
The set of his jaw warned Penny it would be useless to tease. With a discouraged sigh, she settled down into the bottom of the skiff to think.
CHAPTER
18
WANTED—A GUIDE
Since the eventful trip to the swamp, several days now had elapsed, and from Penny’s viewpoint, nothing of consequence had happened.
Each day the Riverview Star carried a story giving details of the police search for Danny Deevers, and on each succeeding morning the account became shorter, with less new information.
Twice, it was rumored police were closing in on the escaped convict, and twice the rumor proved false.