Part 23 (1/2)
On and on rowed the two students. It was a clear, balmy day, and they hated to return to the school until it was absolutely necessary.
”Let us row around Smith Island,” suggested our hero, mentioning a small place in the middle of the stream, so named after a farmer who owned it. It was a rocky and somewhat barren spot, and seldom visited by anybody but fishermen.
”All right, but we want to beware of the rocks,” cautioned the big youth.
The rowboat was headed up the stream, and soon they came in sight of the island. On one side were a number of bushes, overhanging the river.
”h.e.l.lo! look there!” cried Dave, a few minutes later, and pointed to the bushes.
”What do you see?”
”A motor-boat. I think it is Nat Poole's.”
”Is that so? What brought him here?” questioned Gus, with interest.
”I am sure I don't know. But it's his boat, I am sure of that,” went on Dave, after another look at the craft.
”See anything of Nat?”
”No, the boat is empty.”
”Let us row in a little closer and see what he is doing,” suggested Gus.
”He'll say we were spying on him.”
”Humph! Haven't we as much right as he has to visit the island?”
”Of course.”
”Then what is the use of keeping away? He may be waiting to play some trick, or something like that.”
”Oh, I think not, Gus. Probably he just visited the island out of curiosity. But I'll go in if you say so.”
Slowly, so as to avoid the many rocks in that vicinity, the two students brought the rowboat close up to the motor-craft. They looked into the bushes and along the rocks beyond, but saw nothing of Nat.
”Shall we call to him?” asked Gus.
”What for? I don't want to see him.”
”Neither do I. His boat is tied good and fast. He must expect to stay on the island quite a while.”
The two boys rowed on, past the motor-boat. Then, as they turned a point of rocks, Dave gave a start.
”Well, of all things!”
”What is it, Dave?”
”Look yonder--in between those bushes!”
”Why, it's a rowboat.”