Quickening the pace at which they were walking the two boys soon arrived at the place they were seeking. Save for an occasional comment the silence was unbroken while they both anxiously watched the motor-boat which could be seen swiftly approaching. Indeed the little boat was marvelously swift and in a brief time the boys were aware that there was only one person on board.
“The fellow is in a hurry anyway,” suggested Grant. “Even if he doesn’t know what he wants he wants it right away.”
At that moment the sound of the footsteps of some one in their rear startled both the young watchers and as they glanced behind them they discovered a man approaching. Apparently he had come from the woods where they had begun their search for their missing friends, but it was quickly manifest that he was as startled by his discovery of the presence of the boys as they had been at his coming.
For a moment it seemed to both George and Grant that the man was about to turn and flee from the spot. However, apparently he thought better and at once advanced toward the place where the boys were standing.
At the same moment the boys looked again at the approaching boat and to the surprise of both of them they recognized the man at the wheel as the one in whose house they had been received on Cockburn Island several days before.
What the coming of the man implied neither of the boys understood, but at that moment, however, the man who had approached from the woods shouted in his loudest tones to George and Grant. Startled by the unexpected sound the two boys instantly turned and fled quickly from the spot.
CHAPTER XIX
SUSPICIOUS CHARACTERS
So wearied were Fred and John by the exciting experiences of the day that as soon as they were left to themselves they were sound asleep.
How long they had slept neither was aware when at last both awoke. The little cabin was dark except for a faint light streaming in through the open porthole.
“Where are we, Jack?” called Fred in a low voice.