"Where are you going?" demanded his chum, nervously.
"Ashore again to see. If that is a man, I rather think Mr. Stalling would have said something to me about it; though now that I think of it he did hint that it wasn't altogether safe for a stranger to go wandering off into the woods and swamps right now. Perhaps it's just as you say, and this is some black thief they caught. But I hope you're mistaken, Thad."
"I do, too, because you see I want some sleep tonight. But hold on."
"What's the matter now?" asked the other, as Thad caught his arm.
"I'm going with you, that's all," and accordingly he stepped ashore, carrying the gun along with him.
They approached the suspicious object with more or less display of valor; though doubtless the hearts of both lads beat like trip- hammers from the unwonted excitement.
The moon, which had been partly hidden by some fleecy, low-lying clouds, now took a sudden notion to sail into a clear patch of blue sky; and in consequence objects could be much more readily seen.
Both lads strained their eyes to discover how much truth there might be in the grim suspicions of Thad.
Not until they were close up to the strangely swaying object could they fully decide as to its character.
Then Thad gave a grunt, while Maurice laughed.