Part 26 (2/2)

”If we only had a boat!” and Ned groaned in disappointment as he uttered the words.

At that moment there came out from around one of the piers a small motor boat.

”Look!” cried Frank. ”It isn't very big, but it will hold us. And maybe we can catch them. Hi, you!” he called to the man in the boat, ”sell us your craft-lend it to us. We'll pay you well!”

The man only shrugged his shoulders and turned away.

”Name your own price!” yelled Ned.

”He doesn't understand you,” said Kennedy. ”He's Portuguese. I know him.

He's a fruit dealer. I'll talk to him.”

Rapidly the coffee merchant explained the situation. There was a quick exchange of rapid-fire talk, and the boatman brought his craft to sh.o.r.e.

”Get in!” cried Mr. Kennedy. ”We'll give those rascals a race, but I'm afraid we haven't much chance. They have a good start, and their boat is faster than ours, but we'll do the best we can.”

Eagerly Frank and Ned, not forgetting their rifles, jumped into the boat. A moment later they were off. The motor boat was of recent pattern, and contained a good engine. But the Portuguese who owned it did not know how to get the most speed out of the machine. He was rather surprised when Frank made some adjustments, changing the timer, and regulating the air intake valve of the carburetor.

At once the craft increased her speed.

”Say, you boys know something about boats, don't you?” exclaimed the coffee man, while the Portuguese looked in wonder at our two heroes.

”Oh, we know a little,” admitted Ned, modestly.

”I wish I knew enough to make this into a hydroplane,” said Frank, as he peered eagerly toward the boat they were pursuing. ”It's about the only way we'll be able to catch those rascals I'm afraid.”

”We're pulling up on them a little,” declared Ned.

”Not enough, though,” his brother retorted, rather gloomily.

They were well out in the bay, which was unusually calm. Back in the city the last remnants of the revolutionary army-if such it could be called-were fleeing before the combined forces of American business men, their employees, the loyal citizens, and, finally, the blue-jackets from the _Georgetown_.

”I wonder what the lieutenant will say to us, running off from the squad this way?” remarked Ned, as he filled the almost empty oil cups.

”Why, it's all right-we're in pursuit of the enemy,” replied Frank.

”Just because our private interests happen to be served also, doesn't do any harm.”

”I think you're right,” agreed Mr. Kennedy. ”I will explain matters if you get into any trouble. But, boys, I really think we are gaining on them!”

Ned and Frank stood up, and looked searchingly ahead. They were nearer to the boat containing Bernardo and his cronies. They could see them more plainly. There appeared to be some dispute going on about the tin box, which was wound around with many turns of rope.

”I wish they'd have such a difference of opinion that they'd fight among themselves,” remarked Ned. ”Then some of them might come over on our side, and we'd have the evidence we need.”

”No such luck,” sighed Frank. ”We might as well wish they'd go near enough the battles.h.i.+p, so we could signal to have them fired on.

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