Part 10 (2/2)

”All right, come on,” said Sam, and led the way off the houseboat.

”I don't believe those chaps intend to come back. They took all they wanted.”

To follow the footprints was no easy task, and before long, they found themselves going through a swamp where the walking was extremely treacherous.

”I don't like this,” said Sam. ”They may have known the way, but we don't; and if we don't look out we'll get in so deep we'll be helpless.”

”Yah, let us go back,” said Hans, who had not forgotten his experience in the bog hole. ”A feller can't schwim in vater mit mud up to his neck alretty!”

Again they had to turn back. As they did this d.i.c.k fancied he heard a faraway cry for help.

”Did you hear that?” he asked of Tom. ”What?”

”I heard somebody call, I think.”

”So did I,” put in Harold Bird. ”Listen!”

They listened, but the cry, or whatever it was, was not repeated.

Soon they were back to the side of the houseboat once more.

”Do you think that call came from Fred or Songbird?” asked Sam.

”It might be, Sam,” answered d.i.c.k. ”Maybe we had better get back to the launch.”

”Yes, yes, let us go back by all means!” exclaimed Harold Bird. ”If your friends are in trouble we ought to aid them.”

As rapidly as they could do so, they started back for the spot where the gasoline launch had been left. Once they lost their way, and got into a swamp from which it was next to impossible to get out.

”We'll have to go back!” cried Sam, after he had moved in several directions, only to find himself worse off than before.

”Be careful,” warned Harold Bird. ”If you aren't careful--Stop!”

All of the boys halted, for the command was out of the ordinary. The young Southerner was looking straight ahead of him.

”What is it?” questioned Tom, in a low tone, thinking some of the enemy might be near.

”Am I right, and is that a snake ahead?” asked Harold Bird. ”It looks like a snake and still it may be nothing but the dead limb of a tree.”

”Say, I ton't vonts me no snakes in mine!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Hans, trying to retreat.

All the boys gazed at the object ahead with interest. Then Tom broke off a stick near him and threw it at the object. The latter did not budge.

”Must be a tree limb,” said Tom. ”But it looked enough like a snake to frighten anybody.”

”I am not sure yet,” answered Harold Bird. ”You must remember that some of our southern snakes are very sluggish and only move when they are hungry or hara.s.sed.”

”We'll give the limb, or whatever it is, a wide berth,” said Sam.

<script>