"But they would not know we were coming along here," interposed Bob; "and so, you see, how could they think to lay a plan like that? No, we need feel no fears on that score. And then again, you know, Sandy, our own people are only a short two miles or so above here. If the river were straight I believe we could see them even now." "But, Bob, where could that boat have come from? I've a good notion to strip and swim out after it. We could make good use of another dugout like ours. And it is just the same kind of a boat, too, don't you think?" "I was thinking something even more than that, Sandy," returned Bob. "What?" demanded the other, still eying the strange craft that bobbed and danced in the eddying currents of the river, as though tantalizing them, before once more starting on down the great stream. "It might be our own boat!" suggested Bob. "Oh! how could that be?" asked the other, catching his breath, and turning a troubled face toward his brother. "They are always so particular to keep it tied fast to the flatboat, you remember. Why, no one thinks of using it these days, for we have all been too busy working, to think of fishing, or trying for a few ducks." "You forget that Kate has paddled around in it a good deal of late!" said Bob, slowly. Sandy became excited at once, just as his brother had expected would be the case. "Oh! do you mean to say that something might have happened to Kate?" he asked, a tremor in his voice, for the boys were very fond of their little sister. "I do not know; I hope not, surely," muttered Bob, looking again out toward the drifting boat; "but, if that is our boat, you can see, Sandy, how strange that it should be afloat there, and no one in it to use the paddle." Sandy laid his gun quietly on the ground. "Don't say another word against it, Bob," he remarked grimly, as he started to remove some of his garments. "Be careful, is all I ask you, Sandy," Bob replied. "They tell us the currents of the Mississippi are treacherous, and that they often clutch a swimmer as if they had many hands. If the boat starts down-stream again, as I fancy may be the case, I will follow along the shore, bearing both guns." Sandy hastened to divest himself of all superfluous clothing, at the same time keeping one eye on the strange boat. He was a splendid swimmer; indeed, the boy had ever been like a duck in the water, so that Bob felt little fear about his ability to reach the boat, and tow it ashore, unless some unexpected development occurred. "Keep out of range as you draw closer, Sandy," he remarked. "What makes you say that, Bob?" demanded the other. "It sounds as if you expected to have to use your gun. Come, do you think Indians might be lying in the bottom of the boat, ready to rise up and seize a swimmer, if he came close; or fill him full of arrows?"