Part 19 (1/2)

By noas nearly dark

”We ,” Joe Dawson suggested

”Turn it on the glare of light was found to be working satisfactorily Dark cans of life aboard the Drab than had already been observed

”Supper tiluht,” objected the young skipper ”Slip down into the galley and h for all hands We can eat and watch--_must_, in fact, if we eat at all”

After the sandwiches had been an to find the swinging of the light on the drab boat, on the water and on either river bank, to be growing rather rumbled Hank

”Now, don't start a fuss about that,” yawned Joe ”Soh to start up at any second”

”It has started,” whispered Toht, just then, across the Drab's hull ”Look there!”

Twonearly identical, and each of the pair carrying a bag, appeared on deck a on each side of the deck-house Then, as quickly, by their sides stood two otherat davits

One muffled man and one helper e swiftly to either bank of the river

”That's a queer galaring searchlight and watching

”It'll rimaced Joe Dawson

”Each onder whether _he_ has Dalton on his side of the river, to follow”

Now, as quickly, the two boat-tenders rowed back to the Drab, and the boats were triced up in a twinkling

”Say, they've got their anchor up!” cried Hank butts, in a breathless undertone ”They're going to scoot out on us”

”Then I'm ready to bet,” muttered Tom Halstead, ”that neither of the muffledto throw our crowd off the trail, and now that seventy-footer is trying to get off with Dalton still aboard!”

Whatever the plan was, the Drab was now backing out of the river hts were in evidence She looked ht on an errand of dire mischief

Once out of the an to move ahead By this tih aimed to strike the latter craft amidshi+ps

Then, as the Drab's speed increased, Tom Halstead vented excitedly:

”Jupiter! They're out to cut us in thile we ride here at anchor!”

CHAPTER XIII