e huts of the drain-makers. Dick felt sure of that. He
did not know why, but there was the proof lately painted in the sky.
And this base wretch, who could it be? he asked himself. Oh, if he
could but have seen!

Would this be the same man who had been guilty of all these crimes?
thought Dick, as he listened and found that the sounds had died out; and
now far away there was a soft faint opalescent light telling him of the
coming morn, and sending a thrill of joy through his breast. For there
would be light and warmth, and the power to find the boat once more, and
with it food. Better still, if he could get to his boat he might follow
the wretch who was escaping, and know who it was.

Dick felt directly that it was impossible, for the man would be beyond
pursuit long before he could find his boat; and after listening again he
began to creep cautiously back to where he had lain down and slept and
left Dave Gittan's gun.

The dawn was spreading, and it showed the watcher which was the east,
and hence taught him that the fire must have been somewhere in the
direction of the Toft, for the glare in the sky was certainly north of
where he now stood.

The dawn spread faster, and the reeds and alders about him began to be
visible; and--yes, there was the gun, all cold to the touch and wet with
dew.

"Not much shooting," thought Dick as he mentally planned getting back to
the boat, and hurrying across to Dave's hut to replace the piece and
suffer a good scolding.

"Never mind; I'll give him a pound of powder. What's that?"

Splashing--the rustling of reeds--voices.

There was no concealment here, and besides the sounds came in a contrary
direction to that taken by the fleeing man.

"Hoi!" shouted Dick loudly.

"Hoi! hallo!" came back; and then a well-known voice cried: "Is that
you, Dick?"

"Yes, father. Here! Ahoy!"

There was more splashing, more talking, and Dick's heart leaped as he
felt that his father had come in search of him, and that he would have
an easier task than he had expected in finding his boat.

As the sounds approached the light increased, and Dick had no difficulty
in going to meet them, picking his way carefully through the bog till he
found himself close to a broad channel of reedy water, and here he had
to pause.

"Where are you?" came from about a hundred yards away. And as he
shouted to guide the search party he soon saw through the dim light a
crowded punt propelled by two pol