."

"But then, if an accident has happened to one, the other could always
come back and let us know," Alf answered; and his chum returned--

"That's just what I've been thinking. I don't want to frighten you, old
man, but I can't help thinking that something has gone wrong with both."

"Perhaps it's the canoe. It might have got damaged. They were exploring
new water, you know."

Bob nodded.

"As likely as not. In that case they'll come back by land, and that
would take some time, as, of course, they would go much quicker by
water. We'll wait a little longer, and if they don't arrive we'd better
have our grub. They'll turn up later."

The boys waited as patiently as possible, but ultimately, with no sign
of the travellers, they were obliged to dine alone; though the meal was
not eaten with customary cheerfulness, for both the boys shared
forebodings of troubles to come.

The day wore on, and still no signs of the wanderers, while the anxiety
of the boys rapidly increased. And when night came, without bringing
any news to allay concern, they then began to decide that some serious
accident must have taken place.

Until late into the hours of darkness the two lads sat by the camp-fire,
starting hopefully at each sound from the forest or river--ready to
believe that any whisper of Nature must be the sound of a reassuring
messenger.

How different it was from their usual little camp-fire gatherings! At
such times they were wont to loll about while reciting the many
incidents of the day just gone, and planning fresh exploits for the
morrow. Even last night they had thus sat and planned the expedition
that had ended in adding a heavier gloom to the night.

The fire-flies flickered their tiny lamps, the night-hawks shrieked as
they swooped from the heavens, the owls hooted their dismal cries, and
the wolves wailed in the distance as they fought over the remains of the
antelope that had been left to them.

It must have been near midnight when Bob broke an unusually long spell
of silence.

"Well, old boy," he said, with forced brightness, "I guess the best
thing we can do is to turn in. They won't be back to-night, that's
certain."

"Yet--one might come. I wouldn't like to be asleep if--if there was any
call, you know."

"Then we'll take it turn about--two hours asleep, two hours watch," was
the elder boy's practical suggestion. "Besides, very likely we are
worrying ourselves without need. Anything may have happ