but still speaking quite loud enough to make himself heard by Godfrey
and Dan.

"I hardly think that can be possible," replied Don. "You see the bow
of the canoe was caught on this root; and that makes me think it was
brought down by the current and lodged here."

Godfrey and Dan looked at each other again. They had taken no pains
to secure the boat when they left it, and the current had moved it
from its place on the bank and was carrying it toward the lake, when
it caught on the root where it was discovered by its lawful owner.

"I am glad to get it again," said Don, "for I don't know what we
should have done without it. It is just the thing to chase crippled
ducks with. If I could see the man who stole it, I'd give him a piece
of my mind, I tell you."

After that there was a pause in the conversation and the rattling of
a chain told Godfrey and Dan that the canoe was being fastened to the
stern of the boat in which the brothers had come up the bayou. Then
there was more conversation in a subdued tone of voice, and presently
a commotion in the cane indicated that Don and Bert were working
their way slowly toward the camp. Dan began to tremble and turn
white, and his father looked as though he would have been glad to run
if he had only known where to go.

"Halloo!" exclaimed Bert, suddenly, "here we are. Come this way, Don.
I've found a path."

"A path!" repeated his brother. "What should make a path through this