points."

So saying, he banged away three times.

Presently there was an answering series of shots, but very far distant.

"Whew! I didn't dream I'd gone so far," he said, and having noted the
direction from which the sounds seemed to come, he started to paddle
hard.

After half an hour's work he halted, tired, and perspiring freely.

"This is no fun, I tell you. Wonder if I'm anywhere near? I might try
again."

This time there was no answer. The wind possibly kept those in camp from
hearing the fusilade. Will began to grow alarmed. It was now high noon,
and he felt hungry, so he disposed of the lunch he had carried, at
Bluff's suggestion. Incidentally, he blessed his chum for thinking of
such a thing.

After that he paddled some more, until he grew very tired.

"This begins to look some serious. What if I have to spend a night here?
Gee! I won't like that much, I guess. Hello! What's that over yonder?
Seems to me it might be some sort of a shack, made of palmetto leaves.
Wonder who lives there? Ugh! What if it turns out to be that desperado
the sheriff is hunting--Bob?"

The idea oppressed him, and he felt like paddling away; but his case was