"It's queer the general didn't tell you who it was," commented the third lad, who had been spoken of as "Joe." "I wonder you didn't ask him."
"You've said that six or seven times already," Dan retorted somewhat sharply, "an' I've told ye as often that it wasn't my style. I always leave it for the general to tell me what he thinks I orter know, an' leave unsaid what he'd rather keep to himself. Whosomever this feller is, he'll be likely to explain, an' I can wait without worryin' over it."
"That's 'cause your habit for askin' questions wasn't ever fully developed," Late broke in with a chuckle. "But we shan't have to wait long 'fore we at least see the feller, for, if I'm not mistook, thar he comes now down the lake," and he pointed to a dark object which was approaching.
"He's in a canoe, an' a youngster like ourselves," Dan added a moment later.
"I don't know how you make that out," Late cried. "I can only see that it's a boat of some kind."
"That's 'cause your eyesight was never fully developed," Dan retorted with a grin. "I can see him well enough. But since he's a-comin' we better get to hustlin' an' have supper ready. If he's traveled far he'll be hungry, an' we may make a good impression by showin' we are liberal providers. I'll start the fire, an' Joe can get the water, while you, Late, bring up those fish we caught this mornin'."
For the next half hour the campers were too busy with their preparations to give more than an occasional glance up the lake at the approaching boat. But what they saw confirmed Dan's words. The newcomer was a lad of about their own age, and was able to handle a canoe with the grace and skill of an Indian.
At length, however, the potatoes were baked, the fish broiled, and the corn-cakes done to a turn. Then Late spoke:
"We are ready, an' he's nearly here. Let's go down to the shore to meet him."
His comrades followed him without a word. Clambering down the steep bank to the water's edge, they waited in silence the arrival of the voyager. He could see them standing there, and, though several rods away, paused in his paddling long enough to raise one hand and wave it above his head. They returned the salutation; but refrained from the cheer all longed to give. They were not sure of being alone in the forest, and, with that caution which comes to all accustomed to a frontier life, made no noise that might attract the attention of an enemy.