Part 13 (2/2)
The meal, slim as it was, put all on board the houseboat in better humor, and as he washed the dishes Hans hummed a little German ditty to himself. Soon the small lake was left behind, and they found themselves skirting the upper sh.o.r.e of Lake Sico. Nothing was in sight on the broad bosom of this body of water.
”Can the launch be in hiding in some cove?” asked Sam. ”We don't want any more tricks played on us.”
”It is possible,” answered Harold Bird. ”Still I think our wisest course will be to get to the river as soon as possible. If the launch has pa.s.sed out we may find somebody who has seen her.”
All worked with vigor, and by nightfall they gained the bayou leading to the mighty river beyond. As they came out they saw a lumber barge tied up not far away.
”Ahoy there!” shouted d.i.c.k, using his hands for a speaking trumpet.
”Ahoy!” came the answering shout, from a man on the barge.
”Have you seen anything of a gasoline launch around here?”
”Yes.”
”When?”
”About an hour ago.”
”Coming from the bayou?”
”Yes.”
”Which way did she head?”
”Down the river.”
”Are you sure of that, Dillard?” called out Harold Bird.
”Hullo, Mr. Bird, that you?”
”I say, are you sure the launch went down the river?”
”Positive, sir--we watched her out of sight. Was she your boat?”
”She was.”
”Stolen?”
”Yes.”
”You don't say so! Hope you get her back.”
”Who was on board?”
”Four men, so far as we could see. We weren't very close to her.”
”We are on the right trail!” cried Tom. ”Now the question is, How can we follow her down the river?”
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