Part 40 (1/2)
”I reckon the Mary Delaway will take the regular route to Portland-that is, so far as the wind will allow,” said the owner of the tug. ”We'll follow that route just as fast as our steam will permit. But let me give you a tip. Perhaps it will be better for you to merely follow 'em to Portland, and have them locked up when they reach that place. If you tackle 'em on the high seas they may show fight and get the best of you.”
”I'll think that over,” answered d.i.c.k, slowly. ”But meanwhile crowd on all steam and get after them. Never mind using up your coal-we'll pay for it.”
The docks were soon left behind, and the black smoke pouring from the funnel told how the fireman was doing his best to make steam. But it was now late, and it would soon become a problem, as to whether it would be advisable to run so fast during the night. They might pa.s.s the schooner without knowing it.
”I'll leave the matter to you, Captain Wells,” said d.i.c.k, after talking the matter over with his brothers. ”I'll pay you your regular price for chartering the tug, and one hundred dollars additional if we succeed in rescuing Mrs. Stanhope.”
”I'll do my level best for you, Mr. Rover,” responded the captain. ”I'll talk to my crew.” And he did, promising each man an extra five dollars if they succeeded in doing what the Rovers desired. As a consequence every man, including Larry Dixon, was constantly on the lookout for the Mary Delaway.
Inside of an hour Boston Harbor had been left well behind, and then the bow of the steam tug was turned up the coast in the direction of Portland, about a hundred miles distance. The day was now over and the lights on the tug were lit.
”Don't see anything of the Mary Delaway yet,” remarked Larry Dixon. ”I'm afraid we'll have to shut up shop till mornin'.”
”Could the schooner reach Portland by that time?” asked Sam.
”She'd be there early in the morning,” answered the old sailor.
”Then we had better run for Portland, too,” said Tom. ”We might hang around outside the harbor on the watch.”
It was a clear night, with no moon, but with countless stars bespangling the heavens. The boys and some of the others remained on the watch, although they could see but little.
”It would be great if we had a searchlight,” said Sam.
”Just the thing!” cried Tom. ”But we haven't any, so what's the use of talking about it?”
”Might as well try to get some sleep,” said Captain Wells, about nine o'clock. ”I can call you if anything turns up.”
”We'll stay up a couple of hours yet,” answered d.i.c.k, although the excitement of the day had worn him out.
But not a sight of the schooner was seen, and one after another the Rover boys laid down to get a few hours' sleep. Captain Wells allowed them to rest until six o'clock. By that time they were standing around near the entrance to Portland harbor.
”See anything yet?” asked d.i.c.k, as he sprang up from the berth upon which he had been resting.
”Not yet,” answered the captain of the tug.
”You don't think they got here ahead of us?”
”No, for we have been here for several hours.”
The boys got up and washed, and then had breakfast. In the meantime the steam tug cruised around, and those on board watched eagerly for a sign of the Mary Delaway.
Thus two hours pa.s.sed. As the time went by the three Rovers grew more anxious than ever.
”What do you make of this, d.i.c.k?” asked Tom.
”I don't know what to make of it, Tom.”
”It looks to me as if they had given us the slip,” said Sam.