They heard a movement, a shuffling sound; then presently all became silent once more, and laughingly the boys turned around.
"It's gone!" declared Larry, pretending to be greatly surprised. "Some miserable thief has come, and swiped a lot of our grub! Just think of the colossal nerve of the thing, would you, Phil?"
"Let's go to sleep again," was the only remark of the other, as he started to fasten down the bottom of the curtains.
"But suppose the sheriff drops in on us?" remarked Larry, who looked forward to such a possibility with a little of dread.
"Let him come," chuckled Phil. "You can tell him how we had a package of food taken. He'll understand then what his dogs have found, when they strike the scent of Pete. But I expect that the fellow will find plenty of ways for killing his trail between now and morning. He's got a new lease of life, Pete has; and mark my words, no sheriff's posse is ever going to overhaul him from this on."
So saying Phil began to make himself comfortable again. Larry proceeded to fix his own bed afresh; and when he pronounced himself ready his chum put out the lantern.
In all, not more than half an hour had elapsed since Phil felt that first touch from the swamp boy; and yet how much had happened in that short time. The Northern voyagers had passed through a new and novel experience; and there was Black Pete hastening through the woods, and through the swamps bound south, with hope once more filling his troubled breast.
There was no further alarm during the remainder of that night, and the boys were getting breakfast when Tony uttered an exclamation.
"Look! they are comin' down below! That is Barker at the head!" he muttered.
"Drop down in the bottom of the boat, Tony," Phil hastened to say; for it had all been arranged beforehand what their programme might be.