"We must depend on our hearing," was the reply. "We will push ahead quietly and listen at intervals for the stroke of his paddle."
Under these circumstances the recovery of the canoe was very doubtful, but there was plainly no other course, so they proceeded to carry out Guy's plan as carefully as possible.
Five paddles were all that remained, one for each of them, and with quick, noiseless strokes they moved rapidly down the river, keeping the canoe headed with the current as far as possible, and pausing at times to listen for any trace of the thief.
Thus they journeyed for an hour or more, but no sound of any kind reached their ears, and it began to look very much as though the Galla had been passed unseen in the darkness.
"He could hardly have kept ahead of us for such a distance," said Forbes. "I'm afraid we have missed him, Chutney."
Guy made no reply. The canoe at that instant grated harshly on some obstacle, and throwing out his arms, Melton discovered that the current had carried them against one of the steep, rocky shores. He was about to shove the canoe forcibly away with his paddle when Guy whispered sharply:
"Hold tight to the rock. I hear something above us."
CHAPTER XXV.
THE JOURNEY ON THE LAKE.
In the deep silence all heard distinctly the low, steady dip of a paddle.