Part 16 (1/2)

Accordingly the lines were made ready and in a short time Tom announced a bite. His catch proved to be a Spanish mackerel of good size. No time was lost in cleaning the prize.

”Now, while the cook prepares breakfast,” Jack said, ”I think we'd better get back into harbor. I'm dubious about that plug in the Fortune's side and think we'd better have her out on the ways for a new plank if necessary. Let's get back.”

”Right you are, Captain,” declared Harry. ”I'm cook this morning, while Jack must wash dishes! He said lots of slang yesterday.”

”Now you mention it, I'll plead guilty,” laughed Jack.

With laughter and gay spirits the boys could scarcely wait for breakfast. Harry was an adept at the kitchen as his friends all were willing to testify. He threw his whole soul into the task as he did with everything he undertook. Today was no exception.

”My only regret,” stated Frank as they were seated about the breakfast table at last, ”is that I didn't find you fellows sooner.”

”The pleasure is mutual, I a.s.sure you--we a.s.sure you,” stated Tom.

”We've enjoyed your society immensely and hope we'll find your chum shortly. He can't be far away.”

”Wyckoff wouldn't be so desperate as to do him harm, would he?” queried Harry. ”I can't believe he would make way with him.”

”I don't know,” replied Frank in a dubious tone. ”Wyckoff has given evidence that he's a mighty mean sort of a chap.”

”Speaking of Wyckoff,” put in Jack, ”I believe that's the schooner that chased us away from Pet.i.t Bois yesterday. Look there.”

All hands looked in the direction indicated by Jack and saw a schooner just putting out of the harbor. On her decks stood several roughly dressed men lounging about in att.i.tudes that bespoke anything but the smart sailor. They were unkempt and untidy in appearance and were generally a pretty undesirable looking group.

”If that's the same vessel,” Frank declared, ”I'm glad she didn't catch us! They're a hard looking collection of desperadoes.”

”She's tacking so as to come close aboard of us,” declared Tom. ”Shall I s.h.i.+ft the course, Jack?” he inquired.

”I don't think so,” answered Jack. ”Of course under the pilot rules of the United States, a power boat under way must keep clear of a sailing vessel. She has the right of way and seems to be taking it. But we can easily dodge her with our powerful engines.”

Closer and closer came the schooner until it seemed that she would surely collide with the motor-boat. When scarcely more than a length Away from the Fortuna, the schooner was brought sharply about on the other tack. As she came about a clear cut whistle sounded shrilly in the morning air:

”Bob White! Bob, Bob White!”

”Gracious!” cried Frank springing to his feet. ”The Bob White.”

Instantly he was on deck sending ringing across the water his answer to the challenge of his Patrol:

”Bob White! Bob, Bob White!”

The men on the schooner laughed coa.r.s.ely as the boy waited for an answer to his challenge. The two vessels were drawing farther apart now. Their voices were indistinguishable, but once more came the call:

”Bob White! Bob, Bob--”

Suddenly the call stopped as if a hand had been placed over the face of the one making the cry. The crew of the Fortuna stared at one another in wide eyed wonderment. They all were thinking rapidly and each seemed to have formed the same conclusion.

”Shall I follow them, Captain?” asked Tom addressing Jack.

”I'd like to,” Jack replied, ”but I don't think it wise. It may be that Charley Burnett is aboard that, schooner and that the schooner is the one that chased and fired at us yesterday. We are not sure of either supposition. If he's aboard, he's still alive. If he was not on board and one of the crew did the whistling, we would have our trouble for our pains and be laughed at and perhaps insulted into the bargain. We'd better wait a while, I think.”

”But maybe he is there and wants to get off,” declared Arnold.

”Possibly,” agreed Jack. ”But in that case if we were to attempt to rescue him by force, that crew is too powerful for us to overcome unless we run alongside and shoot them down mercilessly. We are not prepared to do that just yet, I hope. What's your idea concerning, this, Frank?” he continued addressing his friend.