“Well,” said the latter thoughtfully, “I guess his packers will be asleep in camp, but we want to get there before he does and he’s gone off first.”

“He’ll go round by the log he talked about and I don’t think he’s able to walk very fast.  Then we’ll save some time by going through the creek.”

“That’s so,” Drummond agreed.  “We’d better hustle.”

They crossed the mouth of the creek, wading among the boulders and swimming a few yards, and then followed the edge of the lake.  They could see for some distance across the water, but the woods were dark and Stormont would have some trouble in making his way through the brush.  He would be behind them if he came down to the lake, but it was obvious that they must carry out their plans before he arrived.

When Thirlwell thought they were near the camp they left the beach and crept cautiously into the darkness among the trees that grew upon a rocky point.  Now and then the underbrush rustled and a low branch cracked, but they heard nothing when they stopped and listened.  After a few minutes they reached the other side of the point and lay down among the stones.  In front, a narrow bay opened, with the shadowy bush running round.  Two canoes lay on the beach, and although they were black and indistinct, Thirlwell imagined they had only been pulled up a few feet.

Farther back, the glow of a fire flickered among the trunks, but it was a small fire and burned low and red.  Stormont had, no doubt, given orders that no smoke must be made.  A tent, half seen in the gloom, stood at the edge of the bush, but Thirlwell could not see the packers.  It looked as if they were asleep, because all was quiet except for the wind in the trees and the distant splash of the creek.  The breeze was light but blew off the shore.  This would suit Thirlwell’s plan, but it would be difficult not to make some noise and he must not be caught.  The packers were rough men and he rather thought he had taken a risk he ought not to have run.

Touching Drummond’s arm, he slid down a slab of rock and crouched in the gloom on the ledge below.  His boots had scratched the stone, and he listened when Drummond came down, but there was no movement in the camp.  Dropping from the ledge, he reached the shingle, which rattled sharply, and for a moment or two he stopped and held his breath.  He heard nothing, and making Drummond a sign to be cautious, went on again.  They were now confronted by perhaps the most dangerous part of their task, for one cannot cross a stony beach in silence and men used to the wilds are easily wakened by a suspicious noise.  Besides, the water glimmered, and Thirlwell would have liked a darker background.

Still he meant to reach the canoes, and moved on, leaning forward to shorten his height and stepping as gently as he could.  When the stones rattled he and Drummond sank down and waited, but heard nothing to alarm them, and at length stopped and lay down beside the canoes.  They could not be seen now, but what they must do next was risky, and Thirlwell wanted to get his breath.  Although he had not used much muscular exertion, his nerves tingled and his face was wet with sweat.