e was discovered. The leaving of this boat means
nothing, because the steam-operated keel-boat they escaped in, could
never be overtaken, once they had a fair start. If Kirby was alone in
this affair, and had those two women in his charge, getting away would
be about all he could attend to. He'd hardly dare leave them long
enough to sink this craft. But what does he know about running an
engine?"

"Ah reckon as how he cud, sah, if he just had to," interposed the
negro. "He wus a' foolin' mor' or les' wid dat one a' comin' up frum
Saint Louee; an' he sure ask'd me a big lot o' questions. He done
seemed right handy; he sure did."

"Then that probably is the explanation. Rene, would you be afraid to
remain here alone for a little while?"

She glanced about into the gloom of the surrounding woods, her
hesitancy answering me.

"It is not a pleasant prospect I admit, but there is no possible
danger. Kirby has gone, beyond all question, but I wish to learn, if I
can, the direction he has taken. All this must have happened only a
short time ago--while we were at the cabin. The keel-boat can scarcely
be entirely out of sight yet on either river, if we could only find a
place to offer us a wide view."

"But could I not go with you?"

"Hardly with me, for I intend to swim the creek and try to reach the
point at the mouth of the Illinois, from where I can see up and down
the Mississippi. I am going to send Sam back through the woods there
and have him climb that ridge. From the top he ought to have a good
view up the valley of the Illinois. I suppose you might go with him."

"Ah sure wish yer wud, Missus," broke in the negro pleadingly. "Ah
ain't perzackly feered fer ter go 'lone, but Ah's an' ol' man, an' Ah
reckon as how a y'ung gal wus likely fer ter see mor'n Ah wud. 'Pears
like Ah's done los' my glasses."

A faint smile lighted up her face--a mere glimmer of a smile.

"Yes, Sam, I'll go," she said, glancing up into my eyes and holding out
her hand. "You wish me to, do you not?"

"I think it will be fully as well. I have some doubts as to Sam, but
can absolutely trust you. Besides there is nothing to be done here. I
shall not use the boat, then if anyone does chance this way, they will
find nothing disturbed. You still retain the pistol?"

She nodded her response and without delaying my departure longer, I
lowered myself into the water and swam toward the opposite shore,
creeping forth amid a t