Part 16 (2/2)
”I don't know that we have any thing better to do,” added d.i.c.k Short.
”We have got enough to eat to last us all day.”
”I think we shall have some variety in this thing. Captain Vesey has to deliver the Missisquoi to her new owner to-night, and he can't stay here much after noon,” replied Dory.
In fifteen minutes the steamer was well to the southward of Champion Rock, and began to turn to the eastward.
”She is coming around to pick us up on this side of the rocks,” said Thad.
”That's all right, but she won't pick us up,” answered Dory. ”I am afraid it will get very monotonous before she overhauls us by her present tactics.”
Dory put the boat about, and stood to the north. He continued on this tack until the Missisquoi was directly south of Stave Island, and of both ledges, which were in a line with the island. She had gone half a mile farther to the southward than was necessary to avoid Champion Rock; but her pilots were not well posted, and they seemed to be determined to keep on the safe side.
The skipper waited until the steamer was half a mile to the eastward of the ledges, and then he proceeded to beat across the dangerous ground.
He took a southerly tack first, so as to bother the pilot of the steamer as to his intentions. The Missisquoi kept on her course, and Pearl was evidently bothered.
The pursuer had not thought there could be any difficulty in capturing the owner of the Goldwing when he had a steamer to use in chasing her.
He had found out his mistake. The captain and engineer had not earned their five dollars apiece yet, for they had not put the pa.s.senger on board of the schooner. Doubtless they were continuing the chase for the purpose of obtaining their money, for the boys were satisfied that Captain Vesey had no other interest in the pursuit.
As the Missisquoi put her helm to starboard, in order to run to the north, Dory tacked the schooner, and stood off to the north-east. This course would carry him directly over Stave Island Ledge. The effect of this move was soon apparent, for the steamer stopped her screw again.
Her pilots could see that it was useless to go any farther on her present course. By the time she got a mile farther, the Goldwing would be on the other side of the ledges. Another discussion seemed to be in progress between the captain and the pa.s.senger. But it was not continued long; for the Missisquoi put about, and stood to the westward.
”She has got enough of that,” said Thad. ”I don't believe she will keep it up much longer.”
”It is cool and comfortable here, and I think we can stand this sort of thing as long as she can,” added Dory.
”Of course we can; but the game is ended, and the Missisquoi is going back to Plattsburgh,” suggested Corny.
”The game is not ended yet,” replied Dory: ”in fact, it has but just begun.”
”What's the reason it isn't ended?” demanded Corny, who did not like to have his conclusions disputed. ”What is the steamer going off in that direction for, if there is to be any more fun?”
”Is that the way to Plattsburgh, Corny?” asked Dory quietly.
”She has gone off and left us, whether she is bound to Plattsburgh or not. If she means to catch us, why don't she stick to it?” continued Corny.
”She is sticking to it. The way to catch a pigeon is to put salt on his tail, you know,” answered Dory, laughing. ”She is beginning to play her game now. If she had gone to the north-west, instead of to the west, I might believe she had given it up; and I should be ready to head the Goldwing for Burlington as soon as I saw her to the eastward of Valcour's Island.”
”What do you think she means to do, Dory?” asked Thad.
”I am very clear what she means to do. I wouldn't give anybody two cents to write it down for me,” replied the skipper confidently. ”She has gone to the west so that she can coax us out from these ledges. If she could get us away from these dangers, where she could chase us, she would soon be up with us.”
”There are plenty of rocks and shoals south of us,” suggested Thad.
”But there are buoys on them, and a hundred feet of water between them.
Very likely Captain Vesey knows his way among them. We can very soon see whether she has given up the chase or not,” said Dory, as he put the boat about, and headed her to the south.
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