The first boat, in which Brightly had embarked, with the smaller boys, had already been pushed off, and the strong young man who managed it was heading it down the river against the tide. In the second boat the proprietor of the ferry seated himself at the oars.
"All ready!" cried Brede, still standing on the dock; "push off!"
"Aint you goin' yourself?" inquired the man.
The ferryman, with a sweep of his oars, placed a broad band of foaming water between the boat and the landing. Then some one, recovering from sudden amazement, pointed at Brede and shouted,--
The shout aroused Brightly in the forward boat. He took in the situation at a glance.
"Stop!" he cried to the rowers; "stop! turn back--back--quick--to the landing!"
Brede had already turned, and was hastening up the dock toward the railroad station. The whole party understood the meaning of his conduct now, and every breast was filled with sudden indignation. He was playing the part of traitor and coward at a most critical moment.
The water curled and foamed under the oars of the rowers in the foremost boat as it was backed speedily to the landing. Brightly leaped lightly to the dock, and, followed by a half-dozen others, gave chase to the retreating captain. Brede saw them coming, and broke into a run.
Already the whistle of the approaching train was in his ears, and the next minute it rumbled by him and pulled up at the station. He knew that if he could reach it and get on board, he could protect himself from his pursuers during the minute that might elapse before it should be again under way. He redoubled his efforts.
The bell rang for the train to move. The rear car was not fifty feet ahead of him; but behind him he heard fleet steps and quick breathing, and he knew that Brightly was at his heels.
The race was an exciting one. The people who crowded the platform of the station looked on with interest, supposing that both boys were running to catch the train.
At the edge of the platform Brede tripped and fell, with Brightly so close behind that he stumbled involuntarily over the captain's prostrate body. In an instant both boys were up and facing each other, Brightly's face pale with excitement and determination, and Brede's distorted with fear and anger.