Dis sure am de spot, all right--an' dar's got ter be a trail 'round yere sumwhar." Rene remained motionless, her eyes searching the shadows, as though half frightened at finding herself in such dismal surroundings.

The girl's face appeared white and drawn in that twilight.

Sam advanced cautiously from off the log to the shore, and began to anxiously scan the ground, beating back and forth through the underbrush.

After watching him a moment my gaze settled on the strange boat, and I crept along the log curious to examine it more closely.

It had the appearance of being newly built, the paint unscratched, and exhibiting few marks of usage.