It scarcely seemed probable that one man alone, or even two men, had committed this crime, and the sole survivor disappear so completely with the prisoners.

I had turned each detail over and over in my thought, while I worked, yet to but little purpose.

The only present solution of the problem seemed to be our return to that hidden basin where our boat lay, and the remaining there in concealment until the darkness of another night rendered it safe to once more venture upon.
the river.

Perhaps during those intervening hours, we might, by conferring together, decide our future course; some new thought might guide us in the right direction, or some occurrence drive us into definite action.
I spoke of this to her, as I finally approached where she rested on the stump, eager and glad to escape from all memories of that somber cabin I had just left.

She stood before me, listening quietly, her eyes lifting to my face, as though she sought to read there the exact meaning of my words.
"You--you are no longer so confident," she said, "your plan has failed ?" "I am afraid it has," I admitted, "for it was based altogether on the assistance of Amos Shrunk.