Part 55 (1/2)

But the broken oar landed on Harry's arm, causing him to cry out from pain.

”Drop that, Si Peters.”

The command, coming so unexpectedly, startled Peters. He turned, to find Jerry at the gunwale directly behind him.

”Oh, Jerry, help!” cried Harry.

Si Peters gave a low yell of rage.

Again Harry sprang away, and now armed himself with an oar.

”You can't frighten me, you fool!” shouted Peters. ”Don't you dare to put your hand on the boat!”

And as Jerry grasped the gunwale, Peters raised his heavy foot as if to crush our hero's fingers.

But Jerry was too quick for him.

He dropped off. Then whizz! something dark flew through the air.

It was part of the broken oar, thrown by Jerry, and it took Si Peters in the neck.

”Whack him one, Harry, while you have the chance!”

Harry needed no advice on the subject. He sprang in, and a second later a resounding crack laid Si Peters flat on his back.

”That was a good one,” cried Jerry, as he clambered over the side. ”Now bind him before he comes to.”

”Haven't a blessed thing,” replied Harry.

”Here is some cord. Tie his hands together.”

While Harry was doing this, Jerry began to look around for Wash Crosby.

”This way! We are in trouble!” yelled Crosby.

”Pshaw!” exclaimed Jerry. ”He'll have that yacht down on us in another minute.”

But for once the young oarsman was mistaken. The men on the Redeye had no desire, after befriending Si Peters and Wash Crosby, to fall into the hands of the law, and instead of coming up they allowed their craft to float off in an opposite direction.

”There is Crosby!” shouted Jerry, a moment later, as he beheld the youth floundering around in the water. ”And look, here comes the Whistler.”

He was right. A slight breeze had sprung up and Jack Broxton had nursed the yacht along with all of the skill at his command.

The coming of the old sailor ended the battle, so far as the bad boys from Rockpoint were concerned. Both Si Peters and Wash Crosby were hauled on board, and here they were tightly bound, to prevent their making further trouble.

It was after midnight when Lakeview was reached and the prisoners were handed over to the local police. Then Harry and Jerry separated, to go home and tell of their fresh adventures.

The following morning Si Peters and Wash Crosby were taken to Rockpoint and an examination was held. The bad boys confessed robbing the hotel and the larger part of the money taken was recovered, as was also Harry's gold watch, which Si Peters had been bold enough to wear. Some time later the evil-doers were tried and sent to jail, and that was the last our heroes heard of them.