All the forest was in deep and heavy green, hiding every object a hundred yards away, but from their opening they saw a blue and speckless sky, which the three by and by watched attentively, and with the same motive.

Before the dark had begun to come in the east they saw a thin dark line drawn slowly across it, the trail of smoke.

It might not have been noticed by eyes less keen, but they understood at once that it was a signal.

Robert noted its drifting progress across the heavens, and then he said to Willet: "How far from here do you calculate the base of that smoke is, Dave ?" "A long distance, Robert.

Several miles maybe.