“Hi, you fellows, stop rowing!” yelled Peters at the top of his voice.
“Mind your own business, Si Peters,” retorted Harry.
“Exactly. Come up alongside and let him jump on board of the yacht.”
“That’s as cool as a cake of ice!” cried Jerry. “You want everything, don’t you?”
“We are going to get square with you, Jerry Upton!” put in Wash Crosby.
“Let us pull away as fast as we can,” whispered Harry. “Those chaps mean trouble.”
“Dat’s de talk,” said Blumpo, who was the worst scared of the three.
They bent to their oars, and soon moved off a hundred feet or more.
Then Si Peters ran out to the jib of the yacht. “Stop!” he commanded. “Pull another yard and you’ll be sorry for it.”
“You won’t dare!” yelled Harry, in alarm.
At once Si Peters gave some directions to Wash Crosby, who was at the wheel. The course of the yacht was slightly changed, and now the craft was headed directly for the boat containing our friends.
“Anudder smash-up, shuah as you’re born!” groaned Blumpo, and he prepared to leap into the lake.
“Stay where you are!” ordered Jerry. “I’ll check their little game.”
Reaching into a locker, the young oarsman brought out his gun. Leaping on one of the seats, he pointed the weapon at Si Peters’ head.
“Sheer off!” he cried. “Sheer off, or I’ll fire on you!”
Si Peters was nearly dumbfounded at the unexpected turn affairs had taken. The bully at once gave the necessary directions, and the yacht passed to windward of the other boat.
“A good idea, Jerry!” exclaimed Harry. “That will make them steer clear of us for good, I reckon.”
“If they haven’t got guns of their own, Harry.”
The boys on the yacht were evidently much crestfallen. They had hoped to get Jerry in their power, but that plan was defeated. They dropped behind several hiding places, and again headed for the big row-boat.
But once more Jerry outwitted them. Calling to Blumpo to steady the temporary mast, he climbed to the top, his gun slung over his shoulder.
From this elevated point he was able to sweep the yacht’s deck from stem to stern.
“Now turn about, or I’ll fire on you, as sure as fate!” he ordered.
“You think you are smart, don’t you,” sneered Wash Crosby.
“I’m too smart for your crowd,” retorted Jerry.
“We can fire as well as you,” put in Graves.