"Here is a tree that I can easily climb," remarked Bob. "Wait a minute while I get up among the branches. Perhaps I can tell then if enemies are crouching in that boat. Don't start till I come back, Sandy." He climbed like a monkey, and was quickly in a position where he could take a partial view of the strange craft's interior. But Bob did not stay there long. Whatever it was he saw, he dropped down again to the ground much faster than he had climbed aloft. "Did you see any Indians?" asked Sandy, now ready to plunge into the water. "No, I cannot say that I did," came the reply, in a perplexed tone. "But there is _something_ lying in the bottom of that boat. It is not a bundle, either, for I plainly saw it move." Sandy waited for no more. "Then I'm going out and see for myself!" he declared, as though some half-formed fear had commenced to assail him. Stepping into the water, he hurried to reach a point where it arose to his waist. Then he threw himself forward, and began to strike out with overhand strokes that had many times carried him ahead of all competitors in the water races the boys of the settlement used to have, away back in Virginia, before the Armstrongs had even thought of emigrating across the mountains to the new country along the Ohio. Bob picked up Sandy's gun, and such parts of his clothing as he had discarded. Then he started to walk down the shore, because he saw that the boat had finally succeeded in extricating itself from the clutch of the cross eddies, and was once more moving southward with the steady current of the river. And meanwhile Sandy was breasting the stream with powerful strokes, headed so as to intercept the floating boat when it came along; and with a new and terrible fear clutching at his heart. CHAPTER XXVII ON THE TRAIL AS he followed along the strip of open shore, Bob saw his impetuous brother drawing nearer and nearer to the floating dugout. He half expected to see some grim figure start suddenly into view, threatening Sandy with a deadly weapon, either gun or bow and arrow. Now Sandy had reached up a hand and clutched the side of the boat. He exhibited not a sign of fear, from which fact Bob understood that, on getting close, he had recognized the craft as the one they had brought with them from their old home. He saw the other pull himself up, and look within the boat. What would not Bob have given to see all that met the gaze of his brother just then. Sandy's actions rather puzzled him, for the latter, turning half-way around, waved a hand toward him, as if to say all was well; after which he dropped back into the water, and started to tow the boat in the direction of the shore. Eagerly did Bob keep abreast of the swimmer. Sandy did not try to fight the current, but was evidently desirous of getting to land as quickly as possible, regardless of all else.