uld never know it. Please step back a little. You
see, I'm trying to get the shack in, too. That's part of the game."

Will snapped the camera shutter.

"That's all. Didn't feel it, did you, George?"

"Not so's I kin notice, suh. An' will dat show me an' de leetle shack
w'en it's done fixed?" asked the fugitive wonderingly, eyeing the camera
with respect.

"Fine. And if you leave me your address, or that of your married daughter
up in Chattanooga, I promise to send you a copy later on, George."

"Oh! I'll do dat, marse, 'deed I will! Nebber hed my pictur' took yet. My
gal, she'll be sure surprised tuh see dat!" exclaimed the negro, still
grinning.

"Well, we had better go now. Are you sure you can paddle me around to
where the boat is tied up, George?"

"Easy as fallin' off'n a log, suh. Git dar in 'bout a hour er so." And
George dipped deeply, with the air of one who was accustomed to the
paddle.

Indeed, Will learned presently that he had a dugout canoe hidden near by,
and in which he was accustomed to navigate the intricate channels of the
great swamp. He had lived out here some time, and knew the place
thoroughly.

Will was sensible enough not to mention the fact that the sheriff and his
posse, together with the two bloodhounds, had passed along that morning.
Had he done so, the negro might have taken the alarm, and declined to
accompany him farther.

Things had turned out well, after all. If he had a faculty for tumbling
into a scrape, at least he was usually fortunate enough to get out again
all right.

Before the hour was really up they came out of the swamp, and in sight of
the tied-up motorboat. At sight of the dinghy the three boys gave shouts
of delight.

"Tell me about that, will you!" said Jerry, as he stared at Will, seated
comfortably in the bow of the short little craft, while the old negro,
crouching in a limited area farther aft, plied the spruce paddle. "He
comes back in style, with a guide to show him the way!"

"Better that than to stay in that gloomy place, eh, Frank? Oh, I got
lost, all right, but happened to find the shack of our good friend
George, who rescued me."

"Ain't he the honest chap, though? Ready to acknowledge the corn, no
matter what the consequences," declared Bluff.

"And I promised George some more of our extra provisions, if you have no
objections, fellows. He's going to start for Chattanooga right off. I
didn't mention about the sheriff and his posse, for I w