“We’ll risk it,” answered Harry. He was thinking of his missing gold watch.
The course of the Whistler was changed, and soon they rounded the shore of the island Jack Broxton had pointed out.
Sure enough, there was the Redeye, with all sails set, making up the lake.
Near the stern stood Si Peters, Wash Crosby and several rascally looking men.
“They have discovered that we are after them,” cried Jerry, a few minutes later. “See, they are crowding on all sail!”
The young oarsman was right. Leaving the vicinity of the islands, the other craft stood out boldly into the lake, and cut the water like a knife.
“She’s a good one,” observed Jack Broxton.
The Whistler already had all sails out; and thus the craft went on, neither gaining nor losing for half an hour.
Then darkness settled over the lake, and the wind fell flat.
“We’ve lost them now,” said Harry, dismally.
“It’s a good thing the wind has fallen,” replied Jerry.
“As soon as it is dark enough we can take the row-boat and follow in that.”
Soon night had settled over Lake Otasco. Then our hero and Harry lost no time in entering the tender of the Whistler.
“Make as little noise as possible,” cautioned Jerry.
He was in the bow peering ahead, while Harry was at the oars.
So they went on a distance of a quarter of a mile.
“Not yet. Pull in a little closer to shore. I have an idea Peters and Crosby may land somewhere around here.”
On they went, the darkness growing more intense as they proceeded. There was no moon, and the stars shone but faintly in the blue vault overhead.
Suddenly Jerry held up his hand as a sign to Harry to stop rowing. Instantly his chum raised the oars.
“Something ahead—I can’t make out just what yet.”
Several minutes of breathless silence followed. Then Jerry bent back.
“The Redeye is just ahead, but I believe Si Peters and Wash Crosby have already left her.”
A second later a low but clear cry rang out: “You left that bundle behind, Crosby!”
“Never mind, I don’t want the old suit,” was the reply, coming from some distance in toward shore.
“That settles it,” whispered Jerry. “Crosby and Peters are in a row-boat pulling for shore, beyond a doubt.”
“That’s all right,” replied Harry. “I would rather tackle them than all those on the Redeye.”