So Phil only sat there and awaited developments.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE COMING OF THE TERRIBLE MCGEE

The sound of the dripping paddles grew more persistent. Undoubtedly
the dugout was drawing closer and closer. Phil could presently
distinguish a black moving object ascending the stream; and it was this
effort to move against the swift current that caused unusual exertion,
and consequent splashing from time to time.

He watched it begin to cross over from the denser shadows along the
other bank. Using his eyes to their limit he fancied he could just
make out two moving figures in the coming boat. Phil wondered what
form their discovery of the object of their search would take; and
whether these two fellows might alone attempt to make prisoners of
those aboard the motor boat.

All at once he noted that the dark, log-like looking water craft had
come to a halt, so far as approaching the bank was concerned. The two
men plied their paddles softly now, but only to keep from being carried
down-stream by the ever restless current.

They had spied the tied-up craft, and were whispering together. Phil
waited to see what they meant to do. If his hand unconsciously crept
out toward the faithful Marlin gun, it was hardly with any idea that he
meant to make use of the weapon; but instinct alone guided his move.

Ah! now they were once more moving. They had ceased to paddle, and the
dugout began to glide down the river. They were apparently going away!
Did that mean they expected to pass over the whole two miles between
that point and the village of the lawless shingle-makers?

Now he could no longer see them. Tony was stirring again; and Phil
believed it safe to send a whisper toward the swamp lad, desirous of
seeking information from the one who ought to know.

"They have gone away, Tony!" he said, carefully; but it could not be
that he feared arousing Larry, who slept on peacefully through it all,
lost to the world.

"Yep, I reckoned they would," came the immediate answer.

"But why did they drop back when they might have climbed aboard, and
captured us while we slept?" Phil continued.

"Huh! not gone far. Phil wait, an' see how!"

"Oh! is that it?" echoed the other, as a light began to dawn upon him;
and he continued to sit there, watching for a sign.

Perhaps five minutes passed. Phil had no means for marking the flight
of time, and doubtless it seemed much more than that to him.

Then he suddenl