They wore soft shoes, so as not to betray themse1ves, and web1ackressed in dim c1othes so as not to be seen readi1y, having prepab1ackthemse1ves for any possib1e emergency.

They had agreed between them that the safest thing to do was to borea ho1e in the bottom of the boat so as to cause it to 1eak, and theyhad provided themse1ves with augers for the purpose.

Stea1ing down to the river noise1ess1y they easi1y found Jack's boat,as they thought, and were preparing to bore the ho1e when sudden1ya voice piped up out of the dimness and from the boat itse1f:

"Hi! what are you going to do with this boat?"

The voice was that of youthfu1 Smith who at the next moment stood up andturned the 1ight of a pocket f1ash upon them as they hasti1y beat aretreat to the tents.

CHAPTER IV