The two stepped to the edge of the water and looked in the direction where the boat had disappeared. A short distance away the shore made a curve, and it was this, evidently, which shut the Indian and canoe from sight. It would have taken rapid motions, but the paddler had proved his expertness in that. The occurrence caused the boys to forget their drowsy, tired feeling. They became as alert and wide awake as during the day. "Larry, let's push on and around the lake. I'm worried now about father and mother, and it won't do to lose more time." "I'm as willing as yersilf." The rocky shore made travelling easy, and they walked with greater freedom than at any time since leaving the vicinity of the falls. The younger kept his place a few paces in advance, and had not gone far when he stopped again with the exclamation: "Here's the crazy man again!" He was not exactly right, for instead of the Indian he saw the canoe drawn up against the rocky shore, as in the previous instance. The paddle was there, but the Indian and torch were missing. "I wonder what that means?" "Maybe he has grown tired and gone ashore to rest awhile." It did not seem likely that the fellow was far away, and they looked curiously in every direction. He had not resumed his chanting after leaving the scene of the boys' camp, and he was nowhere in sight. There is no telling what fancy may enter the head of a lunatic, and, much as the couple would have disliked to harm him, they were always ready to defend themselves. Doubtless it was the sight of the fire by which Wharton cooked the fish that led the Shawanoe to paddle his craft across the lake. It is not likely that the whole performance was meant to frighten away the intruders. "I don't think we have anything to fear from him," remarked Wharton, after they had waited several minutes; "we may as well use our time in pushing on." "It's a long thramp we have before us." The two looked up the lake toward the end where the wild waters rushed through the gorge. The outlook was discouraging, for, light as was the moonlight, they could see nothing of the dark line of forest which must have marked the uttermost boundary. Wharton drew a deep sigh. "I'm tempted to turn back; we can follow the stream and find the trail again, while now there's no telling where we may bring up." "I've a better idea," said Larry, with a chuckle. "What's that?" By way of answer he pointed to the canoe, whispering: "The paddle is there." "We'll do it; it will save us a good deal of hard work, and perhaps prevent our going astray. But the owner will be likely to object." "How can he help himself?" "All right; in with you; there's no saying when he'll be back again." Larry Murphy was as deft in handling the paddle as his companion, and at the same moment shoved the prow clear and leaped in. He made a couple of sweeps with the implement, which sent the boat far out over the gleaming surface.