Part 53 (1/2)

”You are sure?” demanded Jerry and Harry, in a breath.

”Yes. The boat had the name Redeye painted on the stern. If I remember rightly, she belongs to a tough crowd of fishermen from Long Lake.”

”Where is she now?” demanded Harry.

”Back there, somewhere.”

”We must follow that boat; eh, Jerry?”

”I am willing,” replied the young oarsman.

”You may have lively times with that crowd,” put in Jack Broxton with a grave shake of his head.

”We'll risk it,” answered Harry. He was thinking of his missing gold watch.

The course of the Whistler was changed, and soon they rounded the sh.o.r.e of the island Jack Broxton had pointed out.

Sure enough, there was the Redeye, with all sails set, making up the lake.

Near the stern stood Si Peters, Wash Crosby and several rascally looking men.

”They have discovered that we are after them,” cried Jerry, a few minutes later. ”See, they are crowding on all sail!”

The young oarsman was right. Leaving the vicinity of the islands, the other craft stood out boldly into the lake, and cut the water like a knife.

”She's a good one,” observed Jack Broxton.

The Whistler already had all sails out; and thus the craft went on, neither gaining nor losing for half an hour.

Then darkness settled over the lake, and the wind fell flat.

”We've lost them now,” said Harry, dismally.

”It's a good thing the wind has fallen,” replied Jerry.

”How so?”

”As soon as it is dark enough we can take the row-boat and follow in that.”

”That's an idea.”

Soon night had settled over Lake Otasco. Then our hero and Harry lost no time in entering the tender of the Whistler.

”Make as little noise as possible,” cautioned Jerry.

He was in the bow peering ahead, while Harry was at the oars.

So they went on a distance of a quarter of a mile.

”See anything?” whispered Harry.