In ten minutes they could see a fire up on the point of land and
hear the loud voices of the three blacks disputing over various
things--evidently they were a noisy crowd, and the prospects for
a quiet night did not loom up very brilliantly. Maurice listened
and his brow clouded over.

"I don't like the prospect a little bit, Thad," he remarked, as a
louder burst of profanity than usual marked a near fight above.

"We're in for a tough night, it seems," sighed his chum, dismally.

"Oh! as to that, I don't know. It all depends whether we have the
nerve to cut the Gordian knot," observed Maurice, grimly.

His friend looked hastily at him, for the fire was still burning
fitfully on the shore, though robbed of its best brands by the
negroes.

"What dye think of doing--running those critters off--gee, it's a
big proposition for a couple of boys, Maurice."

"The running's all right, but you get the cart before the horse.
It's us who are to do the skipping, while they enjoy that fish a
little later. All depends on whether we care to take the chances
of floating down a mile or two further in the dark, and finding a
place to tie up. If we don't it's a case of floating on all night,
and running the risk of a collision."

"I say go. Why, we've got an anchor, you know, and the current