"I suppose so, yes; but when we came away from there we left no trail
they could follow. So it will be sort of hit or miss with them, as it
will be with us."

"We ought to fire the gun once in a while," suggested Mrs. Maguire.
"That's what all lost persons do."

"Good idea!" commented Russ. "I should have done it before. And they will
probably fire to attract our attention, for there are several guns
aboard the steamer."

They now made up a definite program, to the effect that they would stop
every half-hour to listen for possible shouts and shots and would also
shout and fire in their turn.

This was done, but the sun was nearly noon high, and they had heard no
sounds save the natural ones of the swamp and forest.

Now and then they would see alligators in the waters up or down which
they rowed, but the saurians showed no disposition to molest the boat.
And Russ had too few cartridges to wish to waste any on the creatures.

"We may have to spend another night in the open," he confided to Paul.

"It doesn't look very hopeful," agreed the young actor.

Noon came, and as far as could be told from listening, and from looking
about, they were as far off as ever from the steamer.