Part 9 (2/2)
”He was in our class, at school,” went on Jack
”He quotes poetry,” added Pepper
”Who does?” asked the colonel
”Gerald”
”That's bad,” said the colonel gravely, ”but perhaps you could cure him of it”
”He says he is descended from Tom Moore,” continued Pepper
”Well, we needn't hold that against hiether his fault”
”Then there's dick Wilson,” proposed Jack ”He was in our class, too”
”All right,” agreed the others, ”it's Gerald and dick”
”Very well, then,” observed the colonel, ”ill consider that settled When you are ready let me know and I will swear you in
You knohat you have to do?”
”Yes, sir,” the boys answered
By this ti where they had left the boat, and Pepper, who had run on ahead, suddenly raised such an outcry that the others rushed forward in alarm
”What is the matter?” shouted Rand
”The b-boat,” stammered Pepper
”What is the one!”
”Gone! where?” demanded Jack
”How should I know?” replied Pepper ”All I know is that it is gone”
Sure enough, there was no boat to be seen
CHAPTER IX
THE PURSUIT
”It must have drifted away,” said Rand
”Sure of that?” asked Jack