"Dot's what I dinks. I'll remember sometime after a few days--
helloa!"

His exclamation was caused by the blotting out of the circular fire
which had caused so much speculation. Looking toward the western
bank of the Mississippi all was darkness again, the light having
vanished.

Jack stooped so as to bring his head on a level with the surface of
the river, and peered intently out over the moonlit surface.

"That torch was waved by an Indian in a canoe," said he, in a low
voice, "and he is paddling this way."

Otto imitated the action of his friend, and saw that he had spoken
the truth. The outlines of a boat, dimly distinguishable, were
assuming definite shape with such rapidity that there could be no
doubt the craft was approaching them.

As there was no question that the fiery ring was meant for a signal,
Jack Carleton concluded that a party of red men were communicating
with those from whom the boys had effected so narrow an escape.
Such a supposition showed the necessity of great care, and the
friends, without speaking, stepped further from the edge of the
stream, where they were in no danger of being seen.

As the boat came nearer, and its shape was more clearly marked, the
boys discovered that only a single warrior sat within. He was in
the stern, manipulating his long, ashen paddle with such rare skill
that he seemed to pay no heed to the current at all.