"Something fell on us, that's what!" observed Jerry, shaking that wise head of his in his obstinate fashion as he surveyed the ruins of the tent.
Frank seized upon the idea quickly.
"I believe you've struck the truth, Jerry!" he exclaimed.
"Then it must have been a shooting-star or a piece off a comet," said
Will.
"Not much. I am sure I heard voices calling out, and laughing over the joke. I tell you somebody's playing a nasty trick on us, that's what!" declared Bluff.
"Voices, did you say? Are you sure?" demanded Frank, stopping in his fumbling around the tent, while Jerry was throwing some dead palmetto leaves on the fire to induce a speedy blaze, so that they might have more light.
"Yes, I'm sure; and they were out there, too," continued Bluff, pointing beyond the motor-boat.
"I heard 'em, too!" called Joe, at this juncture, as his head appeared in view above the combing of the craft.
"Out on the bayou?" asked Frank, anxious to solve the strange mystery.
"Sure! And there was something like the creaking of sails, too. But I don't think they was makin' fun of us. I kinder thought one of 'em called out somethin' that sounded like, 'Help us!'" went on Joe breathlessly.