He had made the crossing but he did not forget to be ready. He rapidly
reloaded his rifle, and fastened the pistols at his belt. Then he looked
through the bushes at the river. The two canoemen, water running from
them in streams, were on the other bank, though a little farther down the
stream. He believed that they were no longer silent. He fondly imagined
that they were cursing hard, if not loud.
His relief was so great that, forgetting his own bedraggled condition,
he laughed. Then he looked again to see what they were going to do.
A small man, his face shaded by the broad brim of a hat, emerged from
the woods and joined them. Dick was too far away to see his face, even
had it been uncovered, but his figure looked familiar. Nevertheless,
although he tried hard, he could not recall where he had seen him before.
But, as he carried a long-barreled rifle, Dick was sure that this was his
unknown pursuer. There had certainly been collusion also between him and
the men in the boat, as the three began to talk earnestly, and to point
toward the woods on the other side.
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