Part 5 (1/2)

Hours later, when the _Arrow_ was finally clear of the bar, she veered around and made down the coast, pa.s.sing the little bay where the canoe had landed. So occupied with the distressing problem of Hugh's disappearance had her crew been,---for not one of the party could believe him drowned,---and so busy in trying to keep the sloop from being pounded to pieces by the waves while stranded, that no one aboard had noticed the canoe on its return trip across the strait.

When sailing order had been restored and Captain Vinton had ceased to rage and swear at the mischance, his one idea was to return to the waters where he knew the _Petrel_ was cruising. Strange to say, he was the only one who guessed that Hugh had fallen into the hands of ”coast-prowlers” as he called them,---with adjectives too lurid to mention!---and was, being held captive lest he betray their plans.

With this idea in mind, he was determined to bring the revenue cutter to Hugh's rescue; he knew the _Petrel_ could cope with the situation.

By an unlooked-for stroke of fortune, he had not gone very far down the coast before he sighted the cutter, and soon he brought the _Arrow_ within hailing distance. He communicated the news to the officers on board, and a sort of council of war took place immediately. Together, they were not long in forming a plan of reprisal.

It was decided that they should proceed forthwith to a small fortress a few miles southward, where a squad of regulars was stationed. The place was called Fort Leigh, but it scarcely deserved the name, being in reality only a temporary camp located on the site of an old fortification which had been a military headquarters during the Seminole wars. Its nearness to the vicinity in which, according to the _Petrel's_ reliable information, the smugglers were operating was the reason why all decided to go there for a.s.sistance.

Lieutenant Driscoll was in command at the fort and he could be counted on to bring the smugglers to terms.

”Why, it's the most high-handed piece of knavery I've heard of for many a long day!” he exclaimed when the information formation was brought to him by Vinton and the others. ”Those scoundrels must have their nerve, all right, to kidnap a young fellow merely because they didn't want him to tell tales!”

”It's an outrage!” agreed Norton emphatically. ”But we've got to get busy right away, Lieutenant. What are we going to do about it?”

”You're right. We must lose no time,” replied Driscoll directly.

”We'll set out this very hour and invade the haunts of gang. They're not many miles from here, I'm told, hiding in the Everglades. Come with me; I'll have my men ready in half an hour.

”You boys'll go along, of course,” he added. ”If we have to pitch camp for a night or two, while we're hunting them, we'll need you for signalers or scouts, or for picket duty.”

”Picket duty?” echoed Chester.

”Yes, both in camp and along the line of march. I presume you all are willing to serve?”

”Yes, sir; we certainly are!” came the eager chorus. Then, abashed at their lack of military formality, the speakers saluted in more soldierly fas.h.i.+on and stood at attention, awaiting orders.

These were soon given, and after a hurried preparation the whole party---with the exception of three privates who remained at the fort---sallied forth against ”Bego's gang.” It was decided not to go on board the _Petrel_ for the few miles' trip back along the coast, but to use the _Arrow_, instead; for the latter would not be so easily recognized by the smugglers.

”No doubt they'll have pickets posted at different points near Durgan's settlement, if, as we suspect, they have a rendezvous there,” said Lieutenant Driscoll. ”But we'll camp tonight on Palmetto Key, cross over to the sh.o.r.e the first thing to-morrow morning-----”

”Before daylight?”

”Of course; and then we'll land on 'em, hot-and-heavy. I count on their trying to s.h.i.+p a cargo to-morrow night, when there'll be no moon.”

”I understand,” said Norton. ”Will you permit me to make a suggestion, Lieutenant Driscoll?”

”By all means, my dear sir. What is it?”

”Well, the fact that you mentioned their pickets gave me an idea that it would be well if you sent some of us,---say these scouts and myself, for instance,---over to the mainland to-night to act as pickets for you fellows encamped on Palmetto Key.”

”An excellent idea! But how do you propose to communicate with us, in case there should be anything doing to-night?”

”By means of bonfires on the sh.o.r.e, or by wig-wagging with torches.”

”I thought you would say that!” exclaimed the lieutenant heartily.

”You mean---you don't approve of that part of the plan?”

Lieutenant Driscoll laughed.