The mysterious vanishing of the boat would serve to increase that suspicion.

Even if this had not occurred to him at first, the steamer would have brought news that no keel-boat had been seen on the lower river, while the captain of the _John B.Glover_, or someone else on board, would have been sure to have mentioned the negro-helper and suggest that he might have had a hand in the affair.

To follow that trail was, indeed, the most natural thing for Kirby to do.
And he had promptly accepted the chance; blindly, no doubt, and yet guided by good fortune.

He had not overtaken Rene, because she was not yet there, but he had unexpectedly come upon the other fugitives, and, even though the encounter had cost the life of his henchman, Carver, it also resulted in the death of two men who had come between him and his prey--the negro, and the abolitionist.

The scene cleared in my brain and became vivid and real.