eam. The broader
river behind us remained veiled in mist, but the gray light was
sufficient for our purpose, enabling us to proceed slowly until our
craft had rounded the protruding headland, out of sight from below.
Here the main channel cut across to the left bank, and we forced into
the deeper shadows of the overhanging woods.

"'Tain't so awful fur from yere, sah," Sam called to me.

"What, the place where we are to land?"

"Yas, sah. It's de mouth ob a little crick, whut yer nebber see till
yer right plum at it. Bettah keep yer eyes open 'long dat shore, sah."

The girl, alertly bent forward, was first among us to detect the
concealed opening, which was almost completely screened by the
over-arching trees, her voice ringing excitedly, as she pointed it out.
Sam was quick to respond, and, almost before I had definitely
established the spot, the bow of the boat swerved and we shot in
through the leafy screen, the low-hung branches sweeping against our
faces and scraping along the sides. It was an eery spot, into which
the faint daylight scarcely penetrated, but, nevertheless, revealed
itself a secure and convenient harbor. While the stream was not more
than twelve feet in width and the water almost motionless, the banks
were high and precipitous and the depth amply sufficient. The dim
light, only occasionally finding entrance through the trees, barely
enabled us to see for a short distance ahead. It looked a veritable
cave, and, indeed, all I remember noting in my first hasty glance
through the shadows, was the outline of a small boat, moored to a
fallen tree. Sam must have perceived this at the same instant, for he
ran our craft alongside the half-submerged log and stopped his engine.
I scrambled over, found precarious footing on the wet bank, and made
fast.

"So this is the place?" I questioned incredulously, staring about at
the dark, silent forest; which still remained in the deep night shade.
"Why, there's nothing here."

"No, sah; dar certenly don't 'pear fer ter be much," and the negro
crept out of the cockpit and joined me, "'ceptin' dat boat. Dar ain't
no boat 'round yere, les' folks hes bin a ridin' in it, Ah reckon. Dis
sure am de spot, all right--an' dar's got ter be a trail 'round yere
sumwhar."

Rene remained motionless, her eyes searching the shadows, as though
half frightened at finding herself in such dismal surroundings. The
girl's face appeared white and drawn in that twilight.