Part 52 (1/2)

Sobber.

”Wonder what has become of Koswell, Larkspur and that Darkingham,” said Sam.

”I don't know, and I don't care, just now!” returned d.i.c.k. ”Captain, we must follow that boat without delay. If they get out of our sight we may never get another chance to rescue Mrs. Stanhope!”

”I'll get after 'em as soon as I can,” returned the master of the steam tug.

But to start a pursuit was not so easy, from the fact that the tug lay on the other side of the island and could not be signalled.

”Tom and I can go after the tug,” said Sam. ”The rest of you can try to keep that motor boat in sight;” and so it was arranged.

The two Rover boys skirted the south end of Chesoque Island. They kept on a run, and on turning a corner of rocks, plumped fairly and squarely into Koswell, Larkspur and Darkingham, who were talking earnestly among themselves.

”They said they would send the boat back sure,” Koswell was saying, when Tom almost ran him down.

”h.e.l.lo! you here!” cried Tom, and then, as Koswell grabbed him by the arm he added: ”Let me go!”

”Not so fast!” roared Koswell. ”Bart, catch the other fellow!”

”I will!” muttered Bart Larkspur, and caught Sam by the arm.

What followed, came with such swiftness that both Koswell and Larkspur were taken completely off their guard. Tom drew back and hit Koswell a blow in the nose that sent him staggering back against the rocks and made the blood spurt freely. Sam, seeing this, also struck out, reaching Larkspur's left eye, and putting that optic in deep mourning. Larkspur fell back on Darkingham, and for the moment there was great confusion.

”Skip! We don't want to be delayed!” cried Tom, to his brother, and on they went again, before their enemies had time to recover.

Inside of five minutes they came in sight of the steam tug. Those aboard were on the watch for the return of Captain Wells, and the engineer had a full head of steam up, to use in case of emergency.

”Quick!” cried Tom, as he and Sam rushed on board. ”Captain Wells and my brother want you on the other side of the island at once!”

”We'll get there as quick as the propeller can take us,” said the mate, and the engineer nodded to show that he understood. The tug backed away from the island, and in a moment more was on the way to the old dock.

”Say we gave Koswell and Larkspur something to remember us by,” remarked Sam, grimly.

”So we did,” answered Tom, with a grin. ”Wish it had been ten times as much!”

”They and that Darkingham must have loaned the motor boat to the Sobber crowd.”

”Most likely Sobber paid 'em well for its use. He could do it easily-out of that fortune.”

As the steam tug rounded the end of the island, Tom and Sam were just able to see the motor boat in the distance. It seemed to be heading for the mainland.

”All aboard!” sang out Tom, as they ran up to the old dock. But this invitation was unnecessary, for d.i.c.k, Captain Wells and Larry Dixon leaped on the deck as soon as the craft was close enough.

”Now then, after her!” sang out the eldest Rover boy. ”Crowd on all steam! I'll pay all expenses, and more!”

”Even if she blows up?” queried the captain, with a bit of dry humor.

”Yes, even if she blows up, Captain! Oh, we must catch them!” added d.i.c.k, pleadingly.

”We'll do our level best, Mr. Rover. n.o.body could do more.”