CHAPTER VIII 

IN THE SWAMP 

"There she is!" 

"She seems to be all right!" 

"Shall we go on board?" 

Such were the cries from the Rovers and their friends as they came in sight of the _Dora_. The view of the houseboat filled them all with pleasure. 

"Wait!" said Harold Bird. "Don't show yourselves!" 

Dick at least understood and held the others back. 

"Keep out of sight--we want to investigate first," he said, in a low tone. "There is no use in our running our heads into the lion's mouth." 

"Mine cracious, vos der a lion aroundt here?" demanded Hans, turning pale. 

"Maybe you'll find a lion if you don't keep quiet," answered Sam, with a snicker. 

After that but little was said. Gradually they drew so close that they could see from one end of the _Dora_ to the other. Not a person was in sight. 

"Really does look as if the craft was deserted," was Harold Bird's comment. "Perhaps they got scared when they saw what a crowd was following them." 

"I move two of us go on board and the rest stay here," said Tom. "Then, if there is trouble, the crowd to stay behind can come to the rescue." 

"That's a good scheme," answered his elder brother. "Supposing Sam and I go? You can lead the rescuing party, if it becomes necessary." 

This was also agreed to, and a minute later Dick and Sam, with their pistols in hand, crawled from the bushes and made for the side of the houseboat. A gangplank was out and they saw the footprints of several men and also two horses. 
Who are they looking for?
Who thinks they should stay hidden?
What does Dick say they should do first?
Is there anyone on the boat?
Why does Bird think the people left?
How did they feel when they first saw the boat?
What does Hans think might actually be close?
Can they see the whole boat?
How many are going on the boat?
who's idea is that?
What might they run into?
Who will help in case of trouble?
Who agrees with Tom?
Does everyone agree?
Who goes to the boat?
Who suggested which two would go?
Who does he think should lead the crowd/
Do they take anything to the boat?
Do they notice anyone?
Who?
Dora
"There she is!" 

"She seems to be all right!" 

"Shall we go on board?" 

Such were the cries from the Rovers and their friends as they came in sight of the _Dora_. 
Harold Bird
"Wait!" said Harold Bird. "Don't show yourselves!"
investigate
we want to investigate first," he said,
no
"Really does look as if the craft was deserted
they got scared
"Perhaps they got scared when they saw what a crowd was following them.
good
The view of the houseboat filled them all with pleasure. 

a lion
Mine cracious, vos der a lion aroundt here?" demanded Hans
yes
Gradually they drew so close that they could see from one end of the _Dora_ to the other.
two
"I move two of us go on board and the rest stay here,
Tom's
"I move two of us go on board and the rest stay here," said Tom.
trouble
"Then, if there is trouble
the crowd that stayed behind
Then, if there is trouble, the crowd to stay behind can come to the rescue." 
his elder brother.
"That's a good scheme," answered his elder brother. 
yes
This was also agreed to,
Dick and Sam
 a minute later Dick and Sam, with their pistols in hand, crawled from the bushes and made for the side of the houseboat.
Dick
his elder brother. "Supposing Sam and I go? You can lead the rescuing party, if it becomes necessary." 
Tom
You can lead the rescuing party, 
pistols
 Dick and Sam, with their pistols in hand, crawled from the bushes and made for the side of the houseboat.
yes
 A gangplank was out and they saw the footprints of several men 
several men
 A gangplank was out and they saw the footprints of several men