"It must be King, then," answered Grove, floundering along in the rear. "He's been makin' a better hike of it through this blasted swamp than I ever thought he could."
"There's an open stretch farther along," went on Brady, grimly. "That'll stop him, and we'll have him in a few minutes."
Brady leaped out of sight, and Grove likewise jumped past and vanished.
The girl had scarcely breathed while the two men were so close to them.
"Now we've got a chance," whispered Matt. "While they're going on toward that open part of the swamp, we'll get back toward the island and double around it."
"We won't have to go far, now," rejoined the girl, her hopes rising, "before we can turn to the right and start around the island."
Matt continued to lead the way back, making the best time he possibly could. When the girl called softly to him, he stopped.
"Here's where we turn," said she. "I'd better go ahead from now on."
He waited for her to gain his side, then followed as she continued to make her way onward through the bewildering tangle. Time and again Matt, if alone, would have lost his bearings, but Helen, being on familiar ground, was never for one moment at a loss.
Their one fear now was that they should encounter some of the others who were searching, but they heard nothing to cause them the slightest uneasiness.