Part 30 (1/2)
”Wonder where she will make her first stop?”
For an answer to this question Captain Starr was appealed to, and he said the craft would most likely stop first at a town which we will call Penwick.
”How far is that from here?” asked Sam.
”About six miles.”
”Can we get a train to that place?”
”Yes, but I don't know when.”
A time-table was consulted, and it was found that no train could be had from Pleasant Hills to Penwick for two hours and three-quarters.
”That is too late for us,” said d.i.c.k. ”If they saw Tom they'll skip the moment the steamboat touches the landing.”
”If you want to catch them why don't you follow them up in the tug?”
suggested Songbird.
”Dot's the talk!” came from Hans. ”I would like to see you cotch dot Flapp and Paxter mineselluf.”
”I'll use the tug,” said d.i.c.k.
He summoned the captain and explained the situation. It was found that steam on the tug was low, but Captain Carson said he would get ready to move down the stream with all possible speed.
”I would like you to stay on the houseboat,” said d.i.c.k, to Songbird, Fred, and Hans. ”I don't want to leave Captain Starr in charge all alone.”
So it was agreed; and fifteen minutes later the tug was on the way after the _Beaver_, with d.i.c.k, Tom, and Sam on board.
”Can we catch the steamboat, captain?” questioned Tom, anxiously.
”We can try,” was the answer. ”If I had known you wanted to use the tug again to-night I should have kept steam up.”
”Well, we didn't know.”
The _Beaver_ was out of sight and they did not see the steamboat again until she was turning in at the Penwick dock.
”There she is!” cried Sam.
”Hurry up, Captain Carson!” called out d.i.c.k. ”If you don't hurry we will lose the fellows we are after, sure.”
”I am hurrying as much as I can,” replied the captain.
In five minutes more they gained one end of the dock and the Rovers leaped ash.o.r.e. The _Beaver_ was at the other end, discharging pa.s.sengers at one gang plank and freight at another.
”See anything of them?” asked Sam.
”Yes, there they are!” shouted Tom, and pointed to the street beyond the dock.
”I see them,” returned d.i.c.k. ”Come on!” And he started for the street, as swiftly as his feet could carry him.