Just where they might be no one could even give a guess now. It was a fight in the dark, apparently; but it could not last much longer. Already had Bob noticed with joy that the "pull" of the current was slackening considerably. There could be but one reason for that--the shore was close by, and here the swollen river moved with far less impetuosity than out in the middle. At times it had been difficult to wholly avoid a collision with some of the floating trees; but these never varied in their steady downward progress, and the canoe was capable of veering out of the way, so that thus far they had succeeded in keeping trouble at bay. "Only a little more, Sandy!" called Bob. Silas Hemphill again had his paddle working, and all together they sent the boat flying to the shore. But not one of them was able to raise a cheer when finally they ran aground. They lay there in the canoe for a short time, limp and exhausted, satisfied to know that they were at last safely landed. It was Sandy's quick eyes that suddenly made a discovery. "Look! where we have come to land, Bob!" he exclaimed, pointing to some bulky object that seemed to be fastened to the shore with ropes. "Why!" cried Bob, also taken aback, "as sure as anything that must be Captain Heally's new flatboat, on which he expects some day to drift further down the Ohio! What luck, Mr. Hemphill! Just to think that we have landed in front of _home_!" They made haste to scramble ashore, after which the canoe was carried up out of reach of the hungry tide. By this time several men, who had been watching to see that the ropes holding the flatboat did not give way, had heard them, and came hastening to the spot. Shouldering the buffalo meat which had been safely carried through all their adventures, and with their guns and new paddles, the boys started up the hill, eager to reassure those dear ones, who must certainly be worrying concerning their safety. Kate was the first to sight them. The girl had been to the lookout when the rain held up, hoping to get some glimpse of the boat, though no one believed it could cross the river in all that angry storm. She had returned to the cabin when once more the rain came down, but was sitting at a door looking forth when, through the mists, she caught sight of them. Presently the boys and their guest were inside the cabin, where a warm welcome awaited them. Sandy of course could not keep back the good news. "Father!" he cried, drawing the stranger forward, "this is Mr. Silas Hemphill, and he brings you great joy. Coming from our old home, he tells us the barn-burner has been found, and confessed his crime! And who do you think it was, but that good-for-nothing slave, Black Scipio, owned by Jason Diggett himself, and who wanted to even the score after receiving twenty lashes at the hands of his master!"