Burns lay flat at the water's edge, studying the building intently; and his extreme caution made me a bit nervous, although I could scarcely determine why, for I had thus far marked not the slightest sign of danger.
"I reckon we 'll hev ter risk it," he said at length, as he bound his powder-horn upon his head with a dark cloth.

"Come right 'long arter me, and don't make no splashin'." He slipped off so silently that I scarcely knew he was gone, until I missed the dark outline of his figure at my side.

With all possible caution, I followed him.

The current was not strong, but I partially faced it, and struck out with a long, steady stroke, so that my progress, as nearly as I could judge, was almost directly across the stream.

Burns had been completely lost to my sight, although as I looked along the slightly glistening water I could see for some distance ahead.