Had the young man known the result of that scrutiny, he would have been pleased as well as puzzled, for the hunter had said to himself: "A brave lad, an' the border fever's on him." "Swim close to me," said Wetzel, and he plunged into the river.

The task was accomplished without accident.
"See the big cabin, thar, on the hillside?
Thar's Colonel Zane in the door," said Wetzel.
As they neared the building several men joined the one who had been pointed out as the colonel.

It was evident the boys were the subject of their conversation.

Presently Zane left the group and came toward them.

The brothers saw a handsome, stalwart man, in the prime of life.
"Well, Lew, what luck ?" he said to Wetzel.
"Not much.