This news made the world seem like a different place to Phil’s uncle and Chap’s sister. This was something real and tangible. “It seems as if we knew just where the boys were,” cried Helen. “Yes,” said Mr. Godfrey, laughing, “we might take the map, and almost point out the exact spot where they ought to be by this time; but, most probably, we would make a mistake, and we won’t do it. It is enough to know that they are in Florida, and we shall probably see them soon.” “Shall we wait here for them?” said Helen. “I have not made up my mind about that,” replied Mr. Berkeley. But before he made up his mind a telegram came from Mrs. Webster, which read thus: “Please go and meet my boy. He has not a cent, and scarcely any clothes.” “All right,” said Mr. Berkeley, when this characteristic message had been read and considered. “I shall be very glad to take a trip into summer land, for it is getting very bleak and cold up our way. Of course, your mother means that I shall take you with me, Miss Helen, and it will do you good, for if ever a girl needed to have plumpness and rosiness brought back to her cheeks, you do. The boys are bound to come down the St. John’s River to Jacksonville, and we can’t miss them.” And so the two started for Florida. “Won’t they be surprised when they see us?” said Helen, when she and Mr. Godfrey had taken their seats in the car. “I hope so,” said Mr. Godfrey. “Half our pleasure will be lost if we don’t astonish them.” [Illustration] CHAPTER XI. TWO EXPEDITIONS. “Come from the river?” said the Indian who had shaken hands with Chap. “Been fishin’? Where’s the rest of ’em?” The very fair English which this Indian spoke was a new surprise to Chap, and for an instant he wondered how the man knew there were any more of them; but as any one might reasonably suppose that a young fellow like himself would not come into this part of the country alone, the question seemed sensible enough. The other Indian now came up, and, without saying anything, seemed very anxious to hear what should be said. Chap then briefly related his story. For some reason which he could not explain he had for these Indians a feeling very different from that with which, from the very first, he had regarded the untidy young men. To be sure, he had answered their questions, for there seemed to be no good reason for refusing; but he had felt all along that they were unpleasant companions, and had hoped they would soon go away. But these Indians seemed to have honest faces, and to take a friendly interest in what he told them. When he related how the boat had been stolen from him, the Indians looked at each other, and each of them gave a grunt. “Big thieves! big thieves!” said one. “Come down on river and steal boat. Very bad thieves, them!” The other one nodded. “Bad thieves! bad thieves!” he said. Chap now asked the Indians where they supposed the two fellows would take the boat.