“Why what can be keeping them? I hope they won’t get caught ashore in the fog.” “Went up the river. Must have camped along the river. Didn’t you see ’em? Couldn’t have missed ’em if you came down the river.” “We didn’t come down the river. We made a circuit and came down from the north. But that fog is settling fast! It looks bad!” “Looks bad! Looks bad!” agreed Captain Bluntt. “Nasty weather ahead. Ice working up too. Lot of ice worked up from the north since you left. Want to get out of here. Told those rascals to be prompt. Never can depend on youngsters. Can’t depend on ’em.” “They won’t miss the ship in the fog, will they, Captain?” “No, no, they won’t miss us. Dan’ll find us. Yes, Dan’ll find us. Shoot to signal us. Can’t miss us.” Before three o’clock the fog had settled into a heavy black pall, so intense that, standing at the companionway aft, Remington could scarcely make out the foremast. A strong breeze had also sprung up from the north, portending increased drift of ice southward. “I wonder if Paul will ever learn to keep his appointments and be on time,” Remington remarked to Ainsworth. “He seems to have no sense of responsibility,” said Ainsworth. “I wish he were aboard. I’m worried at this delay. I hope nothing has happened to the boys.” “Oh, I think there’s no cause to worry. Dan will take care that nothing goes wrong. Paul wasn’t ready to return when he was told, and thought an hour or two wouldn’t matter. It’s characteristic of him. They’ll be along pretty soon.” Captain Bluntt was growing impatient and ill-humored. He had ordered steam up, and prepared for instant departure to the open sea the moment Paul and Dan came aboard. They were now an hour past due, an unheard of delinquency on Dan’s part. “By the imps of the sea! I’ll wring those youngsters’ necks when I gets hold of ’em!” he exclaimed. “By the imps of the sea I will!” “Could anything have happened to them?” asked Remington anxiously. “No, just taking their time. Just taking their time, th’ rascals! Dan Rudd can take care of himself. Take care of the other youngster too. Yes, yes, they’re all right. Dan Rudd’ll see to that!” Nevertheless Remington’s anxiety grew, and at the end of another half hour, when he approached Captain Bluntt again, he found the Captain’s face serious. “Can’t fathom this! Can’t fathom it!” the Captain exclaimed. “Dan Rudd always sharp to the minute before! Never behind! Thought first the other youngster delayed him. Couldn’t delay him like this. Dan Rudd wouldn’t let him, with a fog settlin’, an’ a norther threatenin’. No, sir! No! Somethin’ ’s wrong. Somethin’ ’s gone wrong.” “Do you think----” “Listen! What’s that?” Captain Bluntt held up his hand. Faintly they heard a rifle shot in the fog, and in a moment another, fainter and hardly distinguishable. “Tom Hand! Jake Griggs! Here, you fellows! Man a boat! Be smart now!”