For a moment Alice and Ruth were almost paralyzed with fear. They stood spellbound, and could only gaze horrifiedly at the tawny beast stretched out on the limb of the tree.
"What—what shall we do?" asked Alice.
"What can we do?" Ruth returned. "If we move toward them, or call out, the beast may spring on them. What is it—a tiger?"
"I don't know. Of course it's not a tiger, for there are none in this country except in circuses. Maybe it's a wildcat."
"Oh, they are terrible. But this doesn't look like the wildcat Flaming Arrow shot in the backwoods."
"No, it doesn't," agreed Alice. "But we must do something to save those children!"
Tommy and Nellie, all unconscious of their peril, were still sorting their blossoms beneath the tree.
"If we could only get them out of the way—somehow," urged Alice. "Then we might hurry off before the beast could spring."
"But it might chase after us—and them."
"That's so. One of us had better go for help. You—you go, Alice. I—I'll stay here," faltered Ruth.
"What! Leave you alone with that beast? I will not!"
"But what can we do?"
Alice thought for a moment. The animal in the tree had apparently not seen them—its attention was fixed on the two children. Then, as the girls watched, they saw it move slightly, while its tail twitched faster.
"It's getting ready to spring!" whispered Alice.
"Oh, don't say that!" begged Ruth, clasping her hands.
They really did not know what to do. They were some distance from the others of the moving picture company, and to go to them, and summon help, might mean the death or injury of the children.
On the other hand, to call out suddenly, or to rush toward the little ones, might precipitate the attack of the beast.
And then fate, or luck, stepped in and changed the situation of affairs. Tommy spied another blossom—a brighter one than any he had yet gathered and he cried out:
"Oh, look at that pretty flower! I'm going to get it!"
"No, let me!" exclaimed his sister, and the two got up with that suddenness which seems so natural to children, and sped across a little glade, out from under the tree, with its dangerous beast toward a clump of ferns and flowers.
It was the best, and perhaps the only thing, they could have done.
"Oh—oh!" gasped Ruth. It was all she could say.
"Now they are safe," Alice ventured.
But not yet.
The beast had been about to spring and now, with a snarl of disappointed rage, it bounded lightly from the limb of the tree to the ground, and began a slinking advance upon the children.
"Oh!" screamed Ruth, and her cry of alarm was echoed by her sister. Both girls instinctively started forward, but an instant later they were halted by a voice.
"Stand where ye are, young ladies. I'll attend to that critter!"
Before they had a chance to look and see who it was that had called, a shot rang out and the beast, which had been running along, crouched low like a cat after a bird, seemed to crumple up. Then it turned a complete somersault, and a moment later lay motionless.
Tommy and Nellie, hearing the report of the gun, paused in their rush after the bright flowers, and then, as they saw the big animal not far from them, they uttered cries of fear, and clung to each other.
"It's all right, dears! There's no danger now!" called Ruth, as she sped toward them.
Alice paused but a moment to look at the individual who had in such timely and effective fashion come to the rescue. She saw a tall, gaunt man, attired in ragged clothes, bending forward with ready rifle, to be prepared to take a second shot if necessary.
"I don't reckon he'll bother any one no more," said this man, with a satisfied chuckle, as he leaned on his gun, the butt of which he dropped to the ground. "I got him right in the head."
"Oh—we—we can't thank you enough!" gasped Alice. "The—the children—" but her voice choked, and she could not speak.
"Wa'al, I reckon hemighthave clawed 'em a bit," admitted the man with the gun. "And perhaps it's jest as well I come along when I did. You folks live around here? Don't seem like I've met you befo'."
"We're a company of moving picture actresses and actors," explained Alice, while Ruth, making a detour to avoid the dead body of the animal, went to Tommy and Nellie, who were still holding on to each other.
"Picture-players; eh?" mused the hunter, for such he evidently was. "I seen a movin' picture once, and it looked as real as anything. Be you folks on that steamer?"
"TheMagnolia—yes," answered Alice, as her sister led the children up to her.
"You're all right now, dearies," said Ruth. "The nice man killed the bad bear."
"Excuse me, Miss; but that ain't a bear," said the hunter, with a pull at his ragged cap that was meant for a bow. "It's a bobcat—mountain lion some folks calls 'em—and I don't know as I ever saw one around this neighborhood before. Mostly they're farther to the no'th. This must be a stray one."
"Oh, but it might have killed us all if you had not been here," Ruth went on.
"Oh, no, Miss, beggin' your pardon. It wouldn't have been as bad as that. Most-ways these bobcats would rather run than fight. I reckon if it had seen you young ladies it would have run."
"Are we as scary as all that?" asked Alice, with a nervous little laugh.
"Oh, no, Miss. I didn't mean it that way at all," said the man. "I beg your pardon, I'm sure. But a bobcat won't hardly ever attack a grown person, unless it's cornered. I reckon this one must have been riled about suthin' and thought to claw up the tots a bit. I happened to be around, so I jest natcherally plunked him—beggin' your pardon for mentionin' the matter."
"It was awfully good of you," murmured Ruth, who had Tommy's and Nellie's hands now.
"Won't you tell us who you are?" asked Alice, as she introduced herself and her sister.
"Who—me? Oh, I'm Jed Moulton," replied the hunter. "I'm an alligator hunter by callin'. But they're gittin' a bit scarce now, so I'm on the move."
"I wish you'd come back and meet our friends," suggested Ruth. "Mrs. Maguire, the children's grandmother, will want to thank you for what you have done."
"Wa'al, I'm in no special rush, and I reckon I can spare a little time," agreed Jed. "But I ain't much used to havin' a fuss made over me."
"You can see how moving pictures are made," suggested Alice.
"Can I, Miss? Then I'll come," and shouldering his gun he set off with them.
"Are you going to leave the bobcat there?" asked Ruth.
"Yes, Miss. Its skin ain't really no good this time of year, and I don't want to bother with it. The buzzards'll make short work of it. Leave it lie."
There was considerable excitement among the other players when the girls and children came back, accompanied by Jed, and told of their adventure.
Much was made over the alligator hunter, and Mrs. Maguire was profuse in her thanks. Then, in the next breath, she scolded the tots for wandering so far away.
"I think they won't do it again," said Ruth, with a smile, as she recalled their fright.
"No, sir! Never no more!" declared Tommy, earnestly.
Bad as the scare had been, its effects were not lasting, and Ruth and Alice were able to take their part in the drama that was being filmed. Jed Moulton looked on, his eyes big with wonder.
"That beats shootin' bobcats!" he declared at the conclusion of the performance.
Jed at once became a favorite with all, and when Mr. Pertell learned that he was quite a successful hunter he made him an offer.
"You come along with us," the manager urged. "I want to get a film of alligator hunting, and I'll make it worth your while to do some of your stunts before the camera. I'll pay you well, and you can have all the alligators you shoot."
"Say, that suits me—right down to the ground!" cried Jed, heartily. "I'll take you up on that."
So Jed became attached to the moving picture outfit, and a cheerful and valuable addition he proved. For he knew the country like a book, and offered valuable suggestions as to where new and striking scenic backgrounds could be obtained.
An uneventful week followed the episode of the bobcat. TheMagnoliawent up and down sluggish streams and bayous, while the company of players acted their parts, or rested beneath the palms and under the graceful Spanish moss.
"But it is getting lonesome and tiresome—being away from civilization so long," complained Miss Pennington one day. "We can't get any mail, or anything."
"Who wants mail, when you can sit out on deck and look at such a scene as that?" asked Alice, pointing to a view down a beautiful river.
"Don't you want to come for a row?" asked Paul of Alice, after luncheon.
"I think so," she answered. "Where is Ruth?"
"We'll all go together," he proposed. "Russ wants to get a few pictures, and Jed Moulton is going along to show us where there are some likely spots for novel scenes."
"Of course I'll come!" cried Alice, enthusiastically, as she went to her stateroom to make ready.
A little later the four young people, with the alligator hunter, set out in a big rowboat. Russ took with him a small moving picture camera, as he generally did, even when he had no special object in view.
They rowed up the stream in which theMagnoliawas resting, her bow against a fern bank, and presently the party was in a solitude that was almost oppressive. There was neither sign nor sound of human being, and the steamer was lost to sight around a bend in the stream.
"Isn't it wonderful here?" murmured Ruth.
"It certainly is," agreed Russ who, with Paul, was rowing.
"It sure is soothin'," said Jed. "Many a time when I ain't had no luck, and feel all tuckered out, I sneak off to a place like this and I feel jest glad to be alive."
He put it crudely enough, but the others understood his homely philosophy.
They rowed slowly, pausing now and then to gather some odd flower, or to look at some big tree almost hidden under the mass of Spanish moss.
Alice, who had gone to the bow, was looking ahead, when suddenly she called out:
"Oh, look at the funny logs! They're bobbing up and down all over. See!"
Jed and the others looked to where she pointed, toward a sand bar in the stream. Then the old hunter called out:
"Logs! Them ain't logs! Them's alligators! We've run into a regular nest of 'em! I'm glad I brought my gun along!"
"Oh! Alligators!" gasped Ruth, as one thrust his long and repulsive head from the water, just ahead of the boat.
Had there been any convenient mode of running away Ruth and Alice would certainly have taken advantage of it just then. But they were out in a boat, in the middle of a wide, sluggish stream, and all about them, swimming, diving, coming up and crawling over a long sand-bar, were alligators—alligators on all sides. They were surrounded by them now, and the girls would no more have gotten out of the boat, even if there had been a bridge nearby on which to walk to shore, than they would have dived overboard.
"Oh, isn't it awful!" gasped Ruth, covering her eyes with her hands.
"Can they get at us?" asked Alice, more practically.
"Not if you stay in the boat, I should say," declared Paul. But he was not altogether sure in his own mind.
As for Russ he said nothing. But he was busy focusing the small moving picture camera on the unusual scene. True, he had views of the saurians at the alligator farm near St. Augustine, but this was different. The views he was now getting showed the big, repulsive creatures in their natural haunts.
"This sure is a big piece of luck!" cried Jed Moulton, as he brought his rifle up from the bottom of the boat. "It is a rare bit of luck! I didn't know there was so many 'gators in this neighborhood!"
"Oh, are you going to shoot?" cried Ruth, as she saw the old hunter prepare to take aim.
"Well, that's what I was countin' on, Miss," he replied. "I can't exactly get a 'gator without shootin' him. They won't come when you call 'em, you know. But if it's goin' to distress you, Miss, why of course I can—"
"Oh, no!" she cried hastily. "Of course I don't want to deprive you of making a living. That was selfish of me. Only I was afraid if you shot from the boat it might upset, and if we were thrown into the water with all those horrid things—ugh!"
She could not finish.
"I guess you're right, Miss," assented Jed. "It will be better not to shoot from the boat, especially as we've got a pretty good load in, and my gun is a heavy one, though it don't recoil such an awful lot. Now we'll take you girls back to the steamer, and then I'll come here and make a bag—an alligator bag, you might say," he added with grim humor.
"Oh, I want to stay and see you shoot!" cried Alice, impulsively.
"Oh, no, Alice!" cried her sister. "Daddy wouldn't like it, you know."
"Well, perhaps not," admitted the younger girl, more readily than her sister had hoped. "Shooting alligators is not exactly nice work, I suppose, however much it needs to be done, for we have to have their skins for leather."
"Then suppose you take us back," suggested Ruth. "I'm sorry to make so much trouble—"
"Not at all!" interrupted Paul. "I think it will be best. But if I can borrow a gun I'm going to get a 'gator myself."
"And get one for me; will you, Paul?" begged Alice. "I'll have my valise after all!"
"Surely," he answered.
"Just a few minutes more," requested Russ. "There's a big one over there I want to film. I guess he must be the grandfather of this alligator roost."
"I never saw such a nest of 'em!" exclaimed Jed. "I can make a pot of money out of this. None of the other hunters has stumbled on it. I'm in luck!"
Ruth and Alice had lost much of their first fear, and really the only danger now was lest one of the big saurians upset the boat, which it might easily do, by coming up under it. The alligators showed no disposition to make an attack. Indeed, most of them swam past the boat without noticing it, though a few of the smaller ones scuttled off when they came up and eyed the craft and its occupants.
Out on the sand bar, sunning themselves, were nearly a score of the big creatures. Now and then one would crawl over the others, or plunge into the sluggish stream with a splash.
"Some fine skins here," commented Jed, with a professional air. "When we come back, boys, we'll have a lively time."
"Isn't it dangerous?" asked Ruth, with a shudder.
"Alligators ain't half so dangerous as folks think," said Jed. "I've hunted 'em, boy and man, for years, and I never got much hurt. One I wounded once nipped me on the leg, and I've got the scar yet."
"I thought it was the tail that was the dangerous part of an alligator," said Russ, who now had all the pictures he wanted for the present, though he intended coming back with the larger camera and filming the alligator hunt.
"Well, I've read lots of stories to the effect that an alligator or crocodile could swing his tail around and knock a man or dog into his mouth with one sweep, but I don't believe it," the hunter said. "Of course that big tail could do damage if it was properly used, and you didn't get out of the way in time. In India I reckon the crocodiles are dangerous, if what you read is true; but I don't reckon a Florida alligator nor crocodile ever ate a man."
"I thought there were no crocodiles in this country," said Russ, who, with a skillful movement of the oars, avoided hitting a big alligator.
"That's a mistake," said Jed. "There are both alligators and crocodiles in Florida, and some of the crocodiles grow to be nearly fifteen feet long. There ain't so much difference between crocodiles and alligators as folks think. The main point is that a crocodile's head is more pointed than an alligator's."
"They're all horrid enough looking," observed Alice.
"Wa'al, I grant you they ain't none of 'em beauties," returned the hunter, with a chuckle, "though I have heard of some folks takin' home little alligators for pets. I'd as soon have a pet bumblebee!" and he laughed heartily.
The two girls were becoming almost indifferent to the alligators now, though in turning about for the return trip to the steamer they several times bumped into the clumsy creatures, and once the craft careened dangerously, causing Alice and Ruth to scream.
And once, when they were almost out of the haunts of the saurians, an immense specimen reared itself out of the water and thrust its ugly nose over the bow.
"Oh!" cried Alice, shrinking back.
In an instant Jed fired, aiming, however, along the keel of the boat, and not broadside across it, so there was no danger from the recoil.
The alligator sank at once.
"I hit him!" cried the hunter, "but it wasn't a mortal wound. I'll come back and get him."
"Please don't shoot again!" begged Ruth.
"I won't, Miss, and I beg your pardon; but I really couldn't help it," he apologized.
There was considerable excitement aboard theMagnoliawhen the party returned with word about the alligators, and when Paul and Russ went back with Jed, Russ taking a large camera, another boatload of men with guns was made up for the hunt.
Even Jed was satisfied later with the day's work, and Russ got a film that created quite a sensation when shown, for never before had an alligator hunt been given in moving pictures.
"Well, I can't go on with you folks any longer," said Jed that night, as Mr. Pertell, aboard theMagnolia, was talking of further plans. "I've got to stay and take care of my alligator skins," he added. "It means big money to me."
"I wish you could come," said the manager. "For we are going into the wilds, and we may need your help."
"Into the wilds?" echoed Mr. Sneed. "Do you think it safe?"
"I don't know whether it is or not," responded Mr. Pertell, and he spoke half seriously. "But we have to go to get the views I want. I hope none of you refuse to come."
No one did, but there was not a little apprehension.
"Those two girls went into the wilds—and did not come back, you know," said Ruth to Alice in a low voice.
"Oh, don't think of it," was the rejoinder. "We are a large party—we can't get lost."
But neither Ruth nor Alice realized what was before them.
Pushing her bow up sluggish streams—up rivers that flowed under arching trees, heavy with the gray moss, went theMagnolia. The party of moving picture players had been on the move for three days now, without a stop for taking of pictures, save those Russ made of the negroes cutting wood for the boilers. No dramas were to be made until they reached a certain wild and uninhabited part of Florida, of which Mr. Pertell had heard, and which he thought would be just right for his purpose.
They had left the vicinity of the alligator hunt, and were pushing on into the interior. In reality it was not so many miles from Sycamore, but it seemed a great way, so lonely was it in the palm forests and cypress swamps.
"Seems to me this is lonely enough to suit anyone," observed Miss Pennington as she sat on deck with the others, and looked up stream.
"It surely is—I feel like screaming just to know that there is something alive around here," added Miss Dixon.
"Go ahead!" laughed Russ. "No one will stop you!"
"Really the silence does seem to get on one's nerves," put in Mr. Towne. "It—er—interferes with—er—thinking, you know."
"Didn't know you ever indulged in that habit!" chaffed Paul.
"Oh, why—er—my deah fellah! Of course I do—at times. I find—I really find I have to give a great deal of consideration—at times—to the suit samples my tailor sends me. And really I shall not be sorry to get back to deah old N'York and renew my wardrobe."
"If he has any more suits he'll have to get a man to look after them," remarked Alice.
"Oh, hush!" chided Ruth.
Then silence once more settled down over the company on the upper deck of theMagnolia. An awning protected them from the hot sun, and really it was very pleasant traveling that way. Of course it was lonesome and the solitude was depressing. For days they would see nothing save perhaps the boat of some solitary fisherman, or alligator hunter.
Occasionally they saw some of the big saurians themselves, as they slipped into the water from some log, or sand bar, on the approach of the steamer. Now and then some wild water fowl would dart across the bows of the boat, uttering its harsh cries.
Russ got a number of fine nature films, but the real work of making dramas would not take place for another day or two. Meals were served aboard, though once or twice, when a long stop had to be made for the cutting of fuel, a shore party was made up.
Then they would take their luncheon with them, seek out some little palm-shaded glade, and there feast and make merry. Ruth and Alice, with Paul and Russ, always enjoyed these trips.
"I think this will about suit us," said Mr. Pertell, one evening, as theMagnoliamade a turn in the stream, and came to a place where another sluggish river joined it. "This is the spot spoken of by Jed, and the surrounding country will give us just the scenery we want, I think. We will tie up here for the night, and you and I will make an examination to-morrow, Russ."
"All right, sir. It looks like a good location to me."
It was so warm that supper really was almost a waste of effort on the part of the cook that evening, for few ate much. Then came a comfortable time spent on the deck, while the night wind cooled the day-heated air.
"Oh, isn't this positively stifling!" complained Miss Pennington as she dropped into a chair beside Ruth. "How do you ever stand it? I've bathed my face in cologne, and done everything I can think of to cool off."
"Perhaps if you didn't do so much you would keep cooler," Ruth suggested with a smile. "And really that is a very warm gown you have on."
"I know it, but it's so becoming to me—at least, I flatter myself it is," and she glanced in the direction of Mr. Towne, who as usual was attired "to the limit," as Russ said.
Ruth and Alice, in cool muslins or lawns, were quite in contrast to the rather overdressed former vaudeville actresses.
"I can lend you a kimono," offered Alice.
"No, thank you!" replied Miss Pennington. "I believe in a certain refinement in dress, even if we are in the wilds of Florida."
"I believe in being comfortable," retorted Alice.
Miss Dixon came up on deck, redolent of a highly perfumed talcum powder.
"It seems to keep away the mosquitoes," she murmured in explanation, though no one had said anything, even if Russ did sniff rather ostentatiously.
"I should think it would attract them," chuckled Paul.
"Oh, indeed!" said Miss Dixon, and changed her mind about taking a seat near him.
Returning from a little exploring party next day Russ and Mr. Pertell reported the locality to be just what was wanted.
"We start work to-morrow," said the manager. "And I want everyone to do his or her best, for this will bring our Florida stay to a close."
"And what next?" asked Mr. DeVere.
"I haven't made up my mind yet. But there will be plenty of other pictures to make."
During the next few days every member of the company, from Mr. DeVere to Tommy and Nellie, had their share of work. There were romantic plays filmed, and in these Ruth had good parts. As for Alice she rejoiced when she had humorous "stunts" to do.
"You are getting to be a regular 'cut-up'," laughed Paul at the close of one of her performances.
"Yes, and I hope she doesn't get too much that way," said Ruth.
"No danger, sister mine, with you to keep me straight," was the answer, as Alice put an arm around Ruth.
Some comic films were made, and in a few of these Mr. Sneed and Mr. Towne had to do "stunts" such as falling in the mud and water, or toppling down hills head over heels. But Mr. Pertell was careful to warn them not to run dangerous risks.
Mr. DeVere, as usual, did more dignified work, and Mr. Bunn was delighted when told that he might do a bit of Shakespeare. And to do him credit, he acted well, much better than some of his associates had supposed he could.
"I have a new idea for to-day," said Mr. Pertell one morning, as the day's work was about to start. "In one drama I wish to show a little picnic scene, with two girls and their mother. You will be the mother, Mrs. Maguire, and with Ruth and Alice will go off up a side stream in a boat. Russ will go along, of course, to manage the camera, and I think I'll send Paul to help row the boat. Take a gun along, Paul, for you can pretend to shoot some game for the lunch.
"You will also have a regular picnic lunch along—real food, by the way, and you will spread it out in some picturesque spot and eat." Mr. Pertell then went on giving directions for the acting of the drama that was to center around the little picnic.
In due time the boat was loaded with the camera and provisions, and Paul helped in Ruth, Alice and Mrs. Maguire. Then he got in with the gun.
"Better take your raincoats along," advised Mr. DeVere to his daughters, "it looks like a shower and you won't be back before night."
Accordingly the garments were tossed into the boat, and then, leaving theMagnoliamoored to the bank, the small craft started off up a little side stream that was to be followed for a mile or two.
Russ picked out a likely spot for the picnic scene and after a bit of rehearsal Ruth, Alice, Mrs. Maguire and Paul went through the little play.
"This is more fun than acting," remarked Alice, as she reached for another chicken sandwich.
There was more to do after the meal, and when what food remained had been packed up for a luncheon later in the afternoon, they entered the boat again, and started still farther up stream.
The last film had been made and as the shadows were lengthening the start back was made.
"My, it's getting dark very quickly, and it's only three o'clock," said Paul, as he looked at his watch.
"Going to rain, I guess," said Russ. And rain it did a little later, the drops coming down with tropical violence.
"Oughtn't we to be at the steamer by this time?" asked Mrs. Maguire, when they could hardly see.
"Well, maybe we had," agreed Paul.
The light was set aglow, and then the young men shouted and called:
"Magnoliaahoy!"
Echoes were their only answer, save the bellow or grunt of some distant alligator, or the screech of some disturbed wild fowl.
"This is queer," observed Russ. "I'm sure we have rowed back far enough to be at the place where we left the steamer. I wonder—"
But he did not finish.
"What do you wonder?" asked Alice, searchingly.
"Oh—nothing," Russ hesitated.
"Yes, it is something!" she insisted.
"Well, then, I was wondering if we possibly could have come down some wrong creek. There were a number of turns, you know."
"Do—do you mean, we are—lost?" faltered Ruth.
"Well, I'm afraid I do."
Ruth began to cry quietly—she really could not help it. Alice felt like following her example, but the younger girl had the saving grace of humor. Not that Ruth actually lacked it, but it was not so near the surface, nor so easily called into action.
"Isn't it silly?" Alice suddenly exclaimed.
"What?" Paul wanted to know.
"Getting lost like this! It's too funny—"
"I wish I could see it, my dear," observed Ruth.
"Try to," urged Mrs. Maguire. "It does seem a bit odd to be lost like this, and maybe the steamer only just around the corner."
"Probably she is," agreed Russ. "We must call again!"
This time they united their voices in a shout that carried far, but the only effect it had was to disturb some of the denizens of the forest.
"But what are we going to do?" queried Ruth. "We—we can't stay here all night."
"We may have to," answered Russ, grimly enough.
"Oh, please don't say that!" she faltered.
"Why, it won't be so bad," put in the jolly Irish woman. "We've got a roomy boat, thank goodness. We can lie down on the rugs, with our rubber coats for protection against the dew. We have some food left, and the moon will soon be up, for it's clearing fast. Then, in the morning, we can find our way back to the steamer."
"Of course!" exclaimed Paul, who realized the necessity of keeping up the spirits of the girls. "We'll be laughing at this to-morrow."
"Do you really think so?" asked Ruth, timorously.
"I'm sure of it," he said. "Now let's figure out what we'd better do."
"How about going ashore?" suggested Russ.
"Never!" cried Ruth.
"Why not?"
"Oh, we don't know what sort of horrid things may be in the woods. It's safer in the boat."
"You forget about the—" Alice began, but she did not finish. She had been about to say "manatees and alligators," but thought better of it. Instead she changed it to:
"Well, I guess it's about six of one and half a dozen of the other."
"Only, don't you think it's better to stay in the boat?" asked Ruth.
"I suppose it is," agreed Alice. "It will be damp on the ground, and there is very little water in the boat."
This was so because when it rained Russ and Paul had used a heavy canvas to cover up the provisions that were left, and this shed the water over the sides of the craft.
"There's the moon!" suddenly called Mrs. Maguire, as she saw a flash of light between the trees.
"I only wish it was the lantern of a searching party," sighed Ruth.
"They probably will hunt for us," said Russ. "But whether they find us before morning is another matter."
"Well, let's take an account of things, and see how we stand, anyhow," suggested Paul, practically. "If we've got to stay here all night we might as well make ourselves as comfortable as possible."
"Don't you think we could keep on rowing, and perhaps find the steamer, Russ?" asked Ruth.
"I'm afraid not," he answered. "We would only get more lost, if that is possible. No, I think the best plan is to stay right where we are, and in the morning we can look about."
"I don't understand how we came to get lost," remarked Alice.
"Well, there were so many creeks and bayous that we probably took the wrong turn," Russ answered. "We ought to have picked out a landmark, I suppose. I will next time."
"Yes, we didn't use as much care as we might have done," agreed Paul. "Well, let's make the ladies comfortable."
"I'm hungry, more than uncomfortable," declared Alice.
"There are some sandwiches and other things left," Russ told her. "Luckily we didn't eat all of them. And I can make coffee."
"Then please do!" cried Ruth. "I'm cold from the rain, and it may help my nerves!"
"You shouldn't have them, sister mine!" mocked Alice. They were all in better spirits now. The moon was higher, and gave a good illumination, being at the full.
There were some heavy rugs in the boat, having been brought along to use in the picnic scene in the woods. While Paul arranged these in the bottom of the craft, and put some cushions against the seats so that Mrs. Maguire and the two girls could lean against them, Russ prepared the coffee. A jug of drinking water had been brought along, for the water of the creeks and river was not considered good. Then, with an alcohol stove, set up on a seat, a steaming pot of coffee was soon made.
With that and sandwiches the lost ones made a meal for which they were all grateful, and in which they stood in much need.
"Oh, how good that was!" sighed Alice. "Is there any more?"
"Well," hesitated Russ, "I was thinking perhaps we'd better save some until morning. We will want breakfast, you know."
"Don't you think they'll find us—or we them—by breakfast time?" asked Ruth, apprehensively.
"It's possible that it may not happen," Russ answered, slowly, and his words seemed rather ominous to the two girls, at least.
"Oh, don't worry," advised Mrs. Maguire. "We'll be all right, I'm sure. At the same time it might be a good plan not to eat all the food we have."
"Oh, I agree to that!" said Alice, hastily.
"I'll shoot a wild turkey to-morrow," promised Paul, with a laugh. "Then we will have a real Thanksgiving feast."
"I hope we don't have to stay as long as that," sighed Ruth. "Oh, how father will worry!" she said to Alice.
"Probably, but it can't be helped. He will know we would come back if we could, and he'll know we will take care of ourselves."
"Still, he can't help worrying," insisted Ruth.
Fortunately the boat was a roomy one, and the lost ones were not as uncomfortable as might have been imagined, with the rugs and cushions and the piece of canvas, as well as their raincoats, for covering.
The craft was tied to a tree on shore, in a sort of little cove, and there the five prepared to spend the night. The moon came up higher over the trees, and shone down on the strange scene.
"I wish it were light enough for some pictures," sighed Russ.
"Nothing much gets away from you, old man," laughed Paul. "Are your ladies comfortable?" he asked, as he joined Russ in the bow of the boat, the other three being in the broad stern.
"Very comfortable," answered Alice. "Only I wish we had brought a mosquito netting along. The little pests are after me with a vengeance."
"I can build a smudge on shore, and that may keep them off," offered Russ. "In fact, a smudge is about the only kind of a fire I could make, as everything is so damp."
This proved to be the case. But a heavy smoke was soon floating over the boat, and this did seem to keep away the pests.
"What had we better do?" asked Russ of Paul, as they piled more damp fuel on the smudge-fire.
"Well, we'll have to stand watch and watch, of course. And we will have the gun ready. It's all loaded. No telling what might happen. A bobcat might take a notion to come aboard, or an alligator might nose us out. We'll have to be on the watch."
Little or nothing could be told about the surrounding country in the darkness, even illuminated as it was by the moon. The river stretched away in either direction, and both banks were heavily wooded.
"Br-r-r! but it's creepy here!" sighed Ruth, as the two young men got into the boat again.
"Is that a light—a lantern—off there?" asked Alice, suddenly, as she sat up and pointed.
For a moment they all hoped that it was, and they raised their voices in shouts:
"Here we are!"
"Look for our lantern!"
Then as the other light moved about erratically Russ said:
"It's onlyignis-fatuus—will-o'-the-wisp. It's a sort of phosphorescent glow that appears at night over swamps. I've seen it in rotting stumps on hot nights."
"Too bad to disappoint you," said Mrs. Maguire. "Now, girls, get comfortable, and we'll be all right in the morning. Try to sleep."
Ruth and Alice declared it was out of the question, and for a long time they remained wide awake. Mrs. Maguire, who had traveled with many road companies, and had often slept under adverse circumstances, did manage to doze off. Russ had first watch, and Paul was tired enough to fall into a slumber.
Finally Ruth and Alice also slumbered, leaning against each other, with Mrs. Maguire as partial support. Russ found his head nodding as the long night wore on.
"Come, this won't do!" he told himself, sitting up with a jerk. But nature was insistent, and he became sleepy again. He was suddenly awakened by what seemed some horrid, human cry close to the boat.
"Oh!" screamed Ruth, startling the others into wakefulness. "What was that?"
The cry was repeated—a cry that brought a chill to the heart.
The boat rocked and trembled under the impulse of the moving bodies—swayed so and tilted, that Russ sharply called:
"Steady all, or we'll upset!"
"Oh!" screamed Ruth. "Never! Do be quiet, Alice!"
"I'm not moving; it's you!"
"Quiet, girls," called Mrs. Maguire, softly. She had really been sleeping soundly, and the sudden awakening rather confused her. "What's it all about?" she asked.
"Oh, didn't you hear it?" gasped Ruth. "Such a horrible cry!"
"Maybe it was some one calling to us—some of the searching party from theMagnolia," suggested Paul.
"Let's give an answer, then," came from Russ.
"Magnoliaahoy!" cried Paul, and the young moving picture operator joined in with his powerful voice.
There was no answer for a moment, and all about in the black woods was silence. Off on shore glowed the faint sparks of the smudge-fire.
"They didn't hear you," said Alice, softly.
And then, vibrating on the night, and echoing through the trees, came that dreadful cry again; weird, long-drawn-out, a howl—a fiendish laugh, ending in a choking giggle and then a shrill whine.
"Oh—oh!" gasped Ruth, and she and Alice clung together, leaning on Mrs. Maguire.
"It's like the wail of a lost soul," whispered Alice.
"Sure, and it must be an Irish banshee!" murmured Mrs. Maguire. "I've heard my mother tell of 'em!"
"It's a wild beast, that's all," said Paul, though his voice was not steady as usual. For the cry, coming out of the darkness, perhaps from a spot where some animal crouched, ready to spring down on them, was not reassuring.
"That's it—some animal," added Russ. "Hand me that gun, Paul, I'll try—"
"Oh, you're not going after it—in the dark, are you?" interrupted Ruth.
"Not much, little girl!" he exclaimed with a laugh, which showed that his nerves were steadying. "I'm only going to try a shot to frighten it. I don't want to be kept awake all night."
"As if one could close an eye with that horrid creature loose in the woods," remarked Alice.
Again came the weird cry, seemingly nearer than before.
"We ought to have a fire," whispered Paul. "Wild animals are afraid of fire."
"It's too damp to build one," remarked Russ. "The lantern will have to answer."
The beast kept up its howling longer than usual this time. Then Russ, who had a good ear for sound, and a fine sense of location, raised the gun and fired into the darkness.
A jagged streak of flame lit up the blackness for a second, and following close after the echoes of the shot there sounded a howl that was unmistakably one of pain.
"You winged him, Russ!" cried Paul.
The howling continued.
The girls screamed. Mrs. Maguire tried to calm them.
"I believe I may have touched him," admitted Russ, not a little proudly. "There was a big charge of shot in that cartridge, and it probably scattered. He can't be badly hurt though, but it may make him go serenade someone else. We've had enough."
The howls grew fainter, and there was a crashing in the bushes and tree limbs that told of the retreat of some creature. Finally these sounds ceased, and once more there was silence and darkness, illuminated only by the lantern and the faint glow of the smudge-fire.
"Do you really think it's gone?" asked Ruth faintly, as she nestled closer to her sister and Mrs. Maguire.
"I hope so," ventured Alice.
"I guess we've heard the last of it," Russ assured them. "But don't worry. We'll be on the watch the rest of the night. I wish we could have a fire; but I'm afraid it's out of the question."
"Let's try, anyhow," suggested Paul. "It will give us something to do. I'm cold and stiff. Maybe we can find a bit of dry wood."
"It is chilly," complained Ruth, and she shivered. The night was cold and damp.
Nor were the piece of canvas and the raincoats much protection. Still, it was better than nothing.
"Well, we'll try a fire," agreed Russ, as he prepared to go ashore with Paul.
"Oh—don't—don't go!" begged Ruth, nervously.
"Why not?" asked the young actor.
"Because—that beast—!"
"I fancy he's far enough off by now," answered Russ. "A fire will be our best protection, if we can make one. Come on, Paul, let's try it, anyhow."
"Oh, I—I don't like them to go," protested Ruth.
"Silly! It's the best thing to do," answered Alice. "They probably need a little exercise. They haven't so much room in their end of the boat as we have."
"Oh, of course, I don't want them to be uncomfortable," returned Ruth, quickly.
Searching about with the lantern Russ and Paul managed to get enough dry wood to start a blaze. It was a tiny one at first, but as the wood dried out the flames grew apace until there was a really good camp fire.
"How's that?" called Russ, as he dropped a pile of sticks into the flames.
"Lovely!" answered Alice.
"It isn't half so lonesome now," added Ruth. She tried to be cheerful—as cheerful as Alice seemed, though really both girls, in their hearts, were worrying over the effect their absence would have on their father.
"Now we've done this much, let's do a little more," suggested Paul. "Let's brew some coffee. I fancy the girls must be chilly. I know I am."
"Good idea! Coffee for five!" cried Russ, as though giving orders to a restaurant waiter.
"I wouldn't sleep, anyhow, after hearing that beast scream," said Ruth. "Do make coffee."
The alcohol stove was soon lighted and the aromatic odor of the hot beverage floated on the air. The little party made merry—as merry as possible under the circumstances.
The moon sank below the trees again. It grew very dark, and somehow they dozed off again—fitfully. Then a pale light suffused the east, filtering faintly through the trees. It grew brighter.
"Morning," announced Russ, with a luxurious stretch. "It's morning."
"The end of the long night," whispered Ruth. "How glad—how very glad I am."
"Let's all go ashore and have breakfast—that is, whatever we have left for breakfast," proposed Alice. "It will do us all good to run about a bit."
And soon they were all ashore, using stiffened muscles gingerly at first, and then with increasing confidence. The sun was blazing hot overhead.
"And now to find our mislaid steamer!" cried Russ, gaily.
Breakfast, on the shore of the sluggish and swamp-like stream where the big rowboat was moored, was a meagre meal, indeed. For after a moment of consideration it was decided not to use up all the food that remained.
"We may need some for luncheon," explained Russ, who seemed to have taken command of the little party. "We may not be able to reach the steamer by noon."
"Do you think we'lleverbe able to reach it, old man?" asked Paul, in a low voice.
"Oh, sure. We've justgotto find it!" whispered the young operator, with a quick glance at the girls.
"That's so," agreed Paul. But he knew, as well as did Russ, that it would be no easy matter.
And so the "rations" were divided into two parts, though with all there would not have been enough for one substantial meal. Fortunately, however, the coffee was plentiful. The cook, when told to put up a lunch for the picnic party that was to figure in the moving pictures, had been very liberal, otherwise there would have been no food left now. And in the matter of coffee enough had been put in to make several large pots full.
As for water, some had been brought along, but, luckily, after this was exhausted Russ managed to find a spring on shore, not far from where the boat was moored.
"We'll have to take a chance on it," he said. "Anyhow, boiling the water for coffee will kill all the germs in it."
"And we can't be too particular," agreed Mrs. Maguire.
The embers of the camp fire kindled in the night were blown into flame, and soon a genial blaze was leaping upward under the big trees. The refugees gathered about it and ate the scanty meal, drinking several cups of coffee.
"That will keep us up, and help to ward off fevers which may lurk in these swamps," said Paul.
The girls had freshened themselves by washing at the side of the brook which flowed from the spring, and then having arranged their hair, with the aid of their side combs, and a pocket mirror Alice carried, they looked, as Paul said, "as sweet as magnolia blossoms."
"Oh, magnolias!" cried Ruth. "If we could only find ourMagnolia—the steamer!"
"Oh, we'll find her," said Russ, easily—more easily than he felt.
"We look like wrecks beside the girls," declared Paul, as he ran his hand over his unshaven chin.
"Don't you dare desert us to look for a barber!" commanded Ruth. "To be left alone in these woods—ugh!" and she shuddered as she looked about. Certainly it was very lonely.
"It isn't as bad as last night, though," said Alice. "I feel quite at home, now. I wonder what became of that animal you shot, Russ? I'd like to see what it was."
"I wouldn't," declared Ruth, decidedly.
Breakfast over, the blankets and cushions of the boat were spread out in the sun to dry, for they were damp from the rain and dew.
"And now the question is—what are we to do?" asked Mrs. Maguire. "We don't want to spend another night in the woods if we can help it."
"I should say not!" cried Russ. "We'll start off in a little while and make our way back to the steamer."
"Can you find it?" asked Ruth.
"Well, it can't be so very far off," spoke Russ, evasively. "The trouble is there are so many twists and turns to these creeks and rivers that we lost our way. I wish I had thought to bring a compass but, since we didn't, we'll have to go by the sun. I think the steamer lies in that general neighborhood," and he pointed in a south-easterly direction.
"I think so, too," agreed Paul. "And if we row that way I think we'll get back."
Alice, who had gone over to the sunny spot where the blankets and cushions had been put to dry, uttered an exclamation.
"Look!" she cried, and when Paul reached her side she pointed to some bright red spots on the leaves.
"That's blood!" cried the young actor. "Russ, you winged that beast last night, all right."
"Is that so? Let's have a look for him! Maybe I killed him. I'd like to see what sort of a creature it was."
The two young men went a little way into the wood, and then came a call:
"Here he is—dead as a door nail."
"Oh, what is it? I want to see it!" cried Alice, who had a good deal of the curious boy in her make-up.
"Don't go!" begged Ruth.
"I shall, too. It can't hurt me—if it's dead."
"I know, dear, but—"
Alice went, however.
"It's a lynx," said Russ, as he looked at the dead beast. "I can tell by those queer little tufts of hair on the ears."
"Are they dangerous?" asked Alice.
"Oh, I guess so, if you had one cornered. They can keep a fellow awake, anyhow, that's one sure thing. I must have fired better than I knew. But then the shot scattered so."
"He must have been pretty close to us," remarked Paul.
"Ugh! I don't like to think of it," murmured Alice, with a little shiver. "Suppose he had jumped into the boat?"
"Don't suppose," laughed Russ.
"Come!" called Mrs. Maguire from where she had remained near the boat with Ruth. "If we're going, we'd better start."
"That's right," agreed Russ. "The sooner we start the quicker we'll get there."
The blankets and cushions were arranged in the craft to make comfortable places for the girls and Mrs. Maguire, and then the remains of the food, and the coffee outfit, having been stowed away, Paul and Russ took the oars, and once more the refugees were under way.
As nearly as possible, allowing for the twists and turns of the stream, the course was in the direction Russ and Paul had agreed upon as being the best. From time to time, as they rowed on, they paused to listen for any hails which would probably be given by the searching party from the steamer.
"For of course daddy will start out after us," said Ruth. "Poor daddy!"
"I guess there's no doubt of that," agreed Russ. "The only trouble is they won't know where to look for us."
"Wouldn't they go first to the place where we took the picnic films?" asked Alice.
"I suppose so, yes; but when we came away from there we left no trail they could follow. So it will be sort of hit or miss with them, as it will be with us."
"We ought to fire the gun once in a while," suggested Mrs. Maguire. "That's what all lost persons do."
"Good idea!" commented Russ. "I should have done it before. And they will probably fire to attract our attention, for there are several guns aboard the steamer."
They now made up a definite program, to the effect that they would stop every half-hour to listen for possible shouts and shots and would also shout and fire in their turn.
This was done, but the sun was nearly noon high, and they had heard no sounds save the natural ones of the swamp and forest.
Now and then they would see alligators in the waters up or down which they rowed, but the saurians showed no disposition to molest the boat. And Russ had too few cartridges to wish to waste any on the creatures.
"We may have to spend another night in the open," he confided to Paul.
"It doesn't look very hopeful," agreed the young actor.
Noon came, and as far as could be told from listening, and from looking about, they were as far off as ever from the steamer.
"And yet it may be within a comparatively short distance of us," said Russ, as cheerfully as he could. "Only the woods are so dense that we can't see it, and if our voices and the sounds of the gun carry to theMagnoliathose aboard can't tell from which direction they come."
They had been keeping on in the course first decided on—southeast—and there were many twists and turns to the trail.
"Would it be any better to get out and walk?" asked Ruth.
"I think not," said Russ. "The boat is really easiest and best for us." He did not say so, but he thought that if they had to spend another night in the open the boat would be absolutely necessary. So they remained aboard.
At noon they tied up, and went ashore to eat the last of the food. Only a little coffee remained, and as the final meagre crumbs were disposed of each one feared to look the others in the face.
What would be next—where would the next meal come from?
No one could answer.
"Well, we'd better move on, I suppose," suggested Russ, after a pause. "No good staying here."
"That's the idea," agreed Paul, trying to speak cheerfully.
He glanced at the two girls. Ruth's lips were quivering, and she seemed on the verge of tears. Alice was bearing up better, but she, too, showed the effects of the strain.
Mrs. Maguire was a pillar of strength and courage.
"Whist! And it's laughin' we'll be at ourselves in a little while—to think we were scared!" she cried, with a forced Irish brogue. "We'll be soon aboard the steamer tellin' what good times we had, an' the others will be wishin' they'd been along."
"I—I wish I could believe so," faltered Ruth.
The boys rowed on, and they were glad of the exertion, for it kept them from brooding over the troubles of their situation, and a troublesome situation it was—they admitted that.
The afternoon was half gone, and in spite of having traveled several miles, twisting this way and that, there were no signs of the steamer.
The boat made a turn in a stream that seemed more sluggish and lonely than any of the others. But it was broader and this gave the boys hope.
"We may get somewhere on this creek," observed Russ, pulling hard at the oars.
Alice gave a startled cry, pointed toward the shore and said:
"Look!"
They all gazed to where she indicated, and there, on the bank of the stream, was a small hut, made of palm leaves, while in front of it, tied to an overhanging tree, was a large motor boat!
"What does it mean?"
"A boat at last!"
"Human beings, anyhow!"
Thus came the excited calls from those in the rowing craft, as it drifted toward the hut on shore—a palm leaf hut that seemed crudely made. Russ and Paul had ceased rowing at the sight of the motor boat, and now their own craft was merely drifting.
"Hurry up, there!" begged Alice. "There must be someone on shore who can put us on the right path. Oh, what a relief!"
"Isn't it!" agreed Ruth, with tears in her eyes. But they were tears of joy, now.
"This came in the nick of time," murmured Russ to Paul. "I was about ready to give up."
"Yes?" agreed Paul, half-questioningly. "And yet isn't it queer we don't see some sign of life?" he asked, in a low voice. "We have made noise enough, but no one has come out of that hut. And the hut itself doesn't seem like a very permanent sort of residence; does it?"
"Indeed it doesn't," spoke Russ. "But it may be one just put up for a night or two by a hunter. Anyhow, we'll soon find out what it means, and if anyone is there who can tell us which way to go."
He and Paul resumed their rowing and a little later were close beside the moored motor boat. It was a large craft, and well appointed, though now it showed signs of being weather-beaten; it was scratched and marred. But it seemed to be in good running order.
"Ahoy there!" called Russ, as he made fast their own boat. "Ahoy in the hut!"
There was no answer.
"Maybe they're asleep," suggested Ruth.
"We can apologize for waking them up," said Alice. "Oh, to think we have help at last!"
Russ and Paul looked at each other. They were not quite so sure, now, in view of the silence, that help was at hand.
Still, the fact that the boat was tied showed that it had not merely drifted to the spot. Some human agency must have been about at some time or other.
With Russ and Paul in the lead the little party made their way to the palm leaf hut. It was ingeniously made—a glance showed that. A palm tree had been taken for the centre pole, and about this had been tied layer after layer of palm leaves, so laid as to shed the rain.
The hut was circular, and at the outer edge of the roof poles had been driven into the ground to support it. There was a small opening, which necessitated stooping to enter, and this doorway, if such it could be called, was covered by a sort of curtain of palm leaves, made in layers and fastened together with withes and wild leaves, laced in and out.
"Quite a piece of work!" commented Paul. "Now I wonder how one is to knock at a palm leaf door?"
"Don't knock—call," suggested Russ, and, raising his voice, he fairly shouted:
"Is anyone here?"
There was no answer.
"I wonder if it would be impolite to open the door, or the curtain, and look in?" suggested Alice.
"Under the circumstances—I think not," answered Mrs. Maguire. "We need help, and this is the first sign we have seen of it."
Russ stepped forward, and, after a moment of hesitation lifted the curtain of palm leaves. The interior of the hut was rather dark, and, for a moment he could see nothing.
"Anyone there?" asked Paul.
"Not a soul," was the disappointing reply. "It's empty."
"Oh, dear!" sighed Alice.
"What are we to do?" Ruth wanted to know.
No one could answer her. Russ was busy making a more thorough examination of the interior of the hut.
"It's a good place to stay—if we have to," he said to Paul, who had joined him inside.
"And it looks as though we'd have to—eh?"
"I'm afraid so."
Russ fastened the palm curtain back and this let in more light. Then the others came up, though there was not room for them all inside. The hut would hold three comfortably—no more.
"Who has been here?"
"What sort of a hut is it?"
"Has anyone been here lately?"
Ruth, Alice, and Mrs. Maguire, in turn, asked these questions.
"I don't know who has been here," said Russ, "but it's the sort of a hut a native might build—possibly a Seminole Indian. Or some hunters may have it to stay a few nights in a spot where they could get alligators, or whatever game they were after. The fact that the boat is here seems to show they haven't gone for good."
"Oh, then they may come back!" cried Ruth.
"Very likely to, I should say," spoke Russ. "We'll just stick around until they do."
"I hope they come back before dark," ventured Ruth, and her sister echoed the wish.
A closer examination of the hut showed two rude bunks, made of sticks, raised slightly above the surface of the ground. The bunks were covered with thick layers of Spanish moss, and were evidently far from being uncomfortable. A few blankets showed that the occupants did not lack for a little comfort.
There were a few cooking utensils scattered about, and outside, the ashes of a camp fire, made between stones—a sort of oven—showed how the meals were prepared. But there was little evidence of food, save a few empty tins.
"There are evidently two persons staying here," observed Russ, as he looked at a packing box, which served as a table, and noted two tin plates, and two knives, forks and spoons. "It must be real jolly, camping this way."
"I'd rather have a tent," said Paul. "This palm leaf hut looks artistic, and all that, but not very secure."
"It's secure enough in good weather," declared Russ. "Well, I guess the only thing to do is to wait until these folks come back. They won't remain away all night, I hardly think."
"But if they don't come back until dark, what shall we do?" asked Ruth. "We can't stay out all night again."
"We may have to," declared practical Alice.
"That is so, and we may as well face the issue," said Russ, somewhat gravely. "And now that we have found a sign of human beings, who can possibly tell us which way to go to find the steamer, it would be foolish to waste this chance. If we go off by ourselves again we may get farther and farther away from theMagnolia."
"That is so," agreed Paul. "I think we had better stay."
"That's what I say!" exclaimed Mrs. Maguire. "It seems like company just to look at that boat and the hut, and to know that someone has been here lately, and will come back."
"Oh, they'll be sure to come back," Russ said. "That's is too good a boat to abandon. Why, it must be worth a thousand dollars."
He and Paul went down to examine it, while the moving picture girls and Mrs. Maguire looked about the hut.
"It seems almost like home, after what we have been through," remarked Ruth.
"I wish there was something to eat here," said Alice, after a stroll about the vicinity of the hut. "Whoever lives here must get their supplies in from day to day, and eat them all up."
"Or they may be out after supplies now," added Mrs. Maguire.
The shadows were lengthening, but the sun was still bright, and it would not be night for several hours. There was a period of anxious waiting.
"I wonder if we hadn't better shout again, and fire a few shots?" remarked Paul. "We may be near our own steamer now, though it doesn't seem so. We might be in another country, for all we can tell."
"I believe we will give a few signals," agreed Russ. "And I can spare a couple of cartridges. I only wish I could see something worth eating to shoot at. Then I could be killing two birds with one stone—giving a signal and providing a meal."
But there seemed no suitable mark for the weapon to be aimed at, and, after they had united their voices in a chorus of calls, Russ fired twice—at intervals.
Then came a period of anxious waiting and silence.
"Call once more," suggested Ruth.
"Hark!" exclaimed Alice, raising her hand to add to her injunction, for Russ had been about to speak. "I heard something."
They all listened intently.
"There it is again!" whispered Alice.
Unmistakably now they all heard voices calling—voices that increased in intensity—coming nearer.
"Oh, they've found us! They've found us!" half sobbed Ruth.
"Call again, boys—I—I can't," faltered Alice.
Russ and Paul shouted.
Again came an unmistakable answer. Now was heard a crashing in the underbrush that told of the approach of someone, and, a moment later there came into view, on the far side of the clearing, where stood the palm leaf hut, two girls, one with a gun over her shoulder, and the other with a brace of birds hanging from her waist.
The two girls stopped for a moment, and then, with joyful shouts, rushed forward.
As for our friends, they seemed paralyzed with astonishment. It was so different from what they had expected. Then Alice found her voice, and cried:
"The two lost girls—we have found them!"