Part 6 (2/2)

”I suppose you hate the sight of them,--after what happened to your father,” said d.i.c.k, in a low tone.

”I do. I sincerely trust there is no bloodshed,” answered the young Southerner.

It was nightfall by the time the launch was clear of the bayou. In front of them lay the calm waters of Lake Sico--a shallow expanse, with mud flats at one side and a wilderness of trees, bushes, and wild canebrake at the other. They shut off the power and listened.

Not a sound broke the stillness.

”Talk about solitude,” was Tom's comment. ”Here is where you can chop it out with an ax!”

”It's enough to make one s.h.i.+ver,” added Fred.

Just then the dog Harold Bird had brought along set up a mournful howl.

”Even the dog doesn't like it,” said Songbird. ”Let us go on--I'd rather hear the puff-puff of the gasoline motor than listen to such stillness.”

”I thought a poet craved solitude,” said d.i.c.k. ”This ought to fill you with inspiration.”

”I think it will fill us with chills and fever,” said Fred. ”Ugh, how damp it is, now the sun is going down.”

”There is a mist creeping up,” said Harold Bird. ”Too bad! I was in hope it would remain clear.”

Soon the darkness of night settled over the lake. The mist continued to roll over them until they were completely enveloped and could no longer see where they were going.

”It can't be helped,” said the owner of the launch. ”We'll have to wait until daylight. If I light the acetylene gas lamp it will simply put those rascals on guard.”

”Vot is ve going to do--sthay on der poat all night?” asked Hans.

”We can either do that or go ash.o.r.e--just as you wish.”

”Let us move towards sh.o.r.e,” said d.i.c.k. ”It will be more pleasant under some overhanging trees or bushes.”

This was agreed to, and they steered for the bank of the lake, which was not far away. None of them dreamed of what that night was to bring forth.

CHAPTER VI

FIGHTING BOB CATS

It was certainly a dismal and dreary outlook, and it did not help matters much to run the launch under the wide overhanging boughs of several trees growing at the edge of the lake. They were in something of a cove, so the view was shut off on three sides.

”I wish we had brought along some extra blankets,” said Sam. ”If it is raw now what will it be by midnight?”

”Hadn't we better build a little campfire?” questioned Fred. ”It will make it ever so much more pleasant.”

”I do not advise a fire,” answered Harold Bird. ”If those rascals should see it, they'd come here to investigate, and then try to slip away from us in the darkness.”

”You are right,” put in d.i.c.k. ”We must keep dark until we have located them,--otherwise the game will be up.”

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