o bring them to that
point, that they might see it for themselves before he explained the
proposed wheat deal. With this Mr. Gilder plunged directly into the
tall timber, leaving Winn alone on the river-bank.

It was fully fifteen minutes before the man returned to the waiting
lad, and he not only looked heated but anxious.

"I can't think what has become of those fellows!" he exclaimed,
breathlessly, as he wiped the moisture from his forehead with a cambric
handkerchief. "I've been clear to camp without finding a trace of
either of them. Now there is only one thing left for us to do in order
to get them here quickly. You and I must start around the island in
opposite directions, because if we went together we might follow them
round and round like a kitten chasing its tail. If you meet them,
bring them back here, and I will do the same. If you don't meet them,
keep on until you are half-way down the other side of the island, or
exactly opposite this point; then strike directly into the timber, and
so make a short-cut back here. In that way you will reach this place
again as soon as I, for the island isn't more than three hundred yards
wide just here. Be spry, now, and remember that the safety of your
raft depends largely upon the promptness with which we get those other
fellows here."

With this Mr. Gilder began to walk rapidly down the shore in the
direction he had chosen. Carried away by the man's impetuosity, Winn
did not hesitate to obey his instructions, but started at once in the
opposite direction. Mr. Gilder, noting this by a backward glance over
his shoulder, instantly halted and concealed himself behind a large
tree-trunk. From here he peered at the retreating figure of the boy
until it was no longer visible. Then he gave vent to the same peculiar
whistle with which Plater had announced his own approach to the log-hut
in the woods. The sound was immediately answered from no great
distance, whereupon Mr. Gilder hastened in that direction. A minute
later he returned, bringing a coil of stout rope, one end of which he
made fast to a tree on the bank. At the same time both Grimshaw and
Plater appeared, each bearing a large package securely wrapped in
canvas on his shoulder.

All three men entered the skiff and pulled out to the raft, carrying
the loose end of the rope with them. Mr. Gilder and Grimshaw quickly
returned to the land, leaving the burly Plater to make a vigorous
attack with an ax