As he followed along the strip of open shore, Bob saw his impetuous brother drawing nearer and nearer to the floating dugout. He half expected to see some grim figure start suddenly into view, threatening Sandy with a deadly weapon, either gun or bow and arrow.
Now Sandy had reached up a hand and clutched the side of the boat. He exhibited not a sign of fear, from which fact Bob understood that, on getting close, he had recognized the craft as the one they had brought with them from their old home.
He saw the other pull himself up, and look within the boat. What would not Bob have given to see all that met the gaze of his brother just then.
Sandy’s actions rather puzzled him, for the latter, turning half-way around, waved a hand toward him, as if to say all was well; after which he dropped back into the water, and started to tow the boat in the direction of the shore.
Eagerly did Bob keep abreast of the swimmer. Sandy did not try to fight the current, but was evidently desirous of getting to land as quickly as possible, regardless of all else.
And when he finally stood up where the water was shallow, and dragged the boat along, Bob, in his eagerness, waded half-way to his knees. What he saw when he looked over the edge of the boat thrilled him. At first he thought Kate must have met with some serious accident and was lying dead. Then he saw her eyes were open, and that a bandage covered her mouth.
Bob snatched his sister up in his arms without a second’s delay, for Sandy was too exhausted after his swim to do much.
The cloth was hastily torn away, and then the sharp edge of Bob’s hunting knife cut the leather thongs that bound the girl.
“What does all this mean, Kate?” cried Bob, in a voice that quivered with anxiety. “Oh! has anything terrible happened to father and mother, that we find you like this?”
She shook her head in the negative.