e had told him he was going out on the sands
and he had not heard his gun.

Shortly afterwards, Dick went down the bank of the gutter and began to
wade across. The water did not come much above his ankles; but it was
moving; slowly yet, although it would soon run fast. He got across and
saw Jim's punt on the muddy sand. The fog was low and drifted about in
belts, clearing now and then, and when he stopped by the punt the moon
shone through.

Dick was puzzled. The punt had been moved since Jim pulled her up the
bank. It was prudent to leave her where one could get on board when
the tide rose, but Dick could not see why Jim had afterwards moved her
down. He had, however, done so, because the rollers he used had made a
rut in the sand in advance of her present position. Then the anchor
had been carried up to higher ground, for one could see where the line
had dragged, although it now lay close to the punt. Dick began to
examine the footsteps about the spot. He was something of a naturalist
and a good wildfowler and had studied the tracks of animals and birds.

Jim had obviously come up the gutter and another man had joined him.
The other was barefooted and the marks seemed to indicate that he had
helped Jim to run down the punt. Then a third man had arrived and Dick
thought this was Lance, because he wore nailed fishing brogues. Lance
often used brogues; he was cautious and did not like soft mud. Dick
imagined Lance had reached the spot after the others and was somewhere
about; he would not go far from the gutter when the tide was rising.
The thing was strange, but since Jim had moved the punt back, there was
no reason why Dick should meddle. Jim had probably gone to the scar
and no doubt knew how long he could stay. Moreover, Dick's business
was to find Carrie, and he set off again.

He followed a small creek that joined the big gutter. Its channel was
narrow and cut rather deep into the sand. Although a belt of fog
rolled up he could see fifty or sixty yards, and presently
distinguished a hazy figure near a bend of the creek. He thought it
was about Lance's height, and shouted; but the fellow did not answer
and vanished next moment. It looked as if the fog had rolled nearer
and hidden him, although he might have gone down into the creek. Dick
went to the edge, but saw nobody, although he crossed a row of steps.
This was puzzling. He imagined the other had heard his shout and was
in the hollow, whe