“I believe, Captain,” said John, at last, “that you were more interested in following that man than you are in getting a good shoal for us to fish over.”
“What’s that you say?” retorted the captain. “It’s no such thing. It’s no such thing. I don’t care about that man any more than I do about—you.”
“You have a strange way of showing it, then,” suggested Fred with a laugh.
“I tell you what I’ll do, boys,” said the captain at last. “If we don’t have any luck here by noon I’ll take you across the channel and we’ll try it ’long Cockburn Island.”
“But we haven’t any right to fish there. That’s in Canadian waters,” said John quickly.
“Well, I have a permit,” explained the captain.
“Good for us, too?” inquired Fred.
“Yes, good for you, too.”
Both boys were somewhat dubious as to the extent of the permission secured by the captain, but they made no protest. Swiftly the little boat was rowed across the intervening waters and in a brief time, under the shelter of the bluffs of the island they were seeking, preparations were made for resuming their sport.
“We don’t want many fish just now,” said the captain.
“That’s lucky for us,” laughed Fred.
“What I mean is, that we want something for dinner, but that’s about all. After dinner we’ll see what we can do with our luck.”
When the time came for landing, the captain turned to the boys and said, “Before I start a fire I want to go up to that house yonder for a minute.”
“We’ll go with you,” suggested Fred, winking at John as he spoke.
“No, no,” said the captain sharply. “You stay right here on the shore. If you want to you can start a fire and have things goin’ so that when I come back everything will be ready.”
“What do you suppose is the matter with the captain?” inquired John after the departure of their guide.
“Why he’s either afraid of or he doesn’t like that Mr. Button. Maybe he’s the man that wrote that letter.”
“More likely he’s the man that the other fellow wrote the letter about,” laughed John. “I think myself that the old fellow will bear watching.”
“I haven’t seen anything in him that I thought was wrong,” said Fred. “Naturally he doesn’t waste very much affection on the officials of the law.”
“I don’t see why he shouldn’t,” broke in John. “Unless there’s something wrong with him.”
“There may be something wrong as far as the law is concerned, but I guess the old fellow himself thinks he’s right. You know there are a good many people that do that.”
“What do you suppose he’s up to?”
“I don’t believe anybody knows, not even the captain himself. I guess it’s his general principles. He’s opposed to everything.”
“Do you think this Mr. Button is anything more than he appears to be?”
“I’m not sure,” said Fred thoughtfully. “It may be that he knows a good deal more than he explains and it may be that letter he got, which was sent to me first, has made him suspicious of the captain. I don’t myself believe there’s anything the matter with the captain anyway.”
“Look yonder!” said John quickly, dropping the fish, which he was cleaning, as he spoke. “Isn’t that Mr. Button himself?”
Hastily looking in the direction indicated by his friend Fred was silent for a moment and then said, “That’s just who it is. What do you suppose he’s doing here on this island?”
“He isn’t on the island yet. I’ll tell you later what he does, that is, if he lands. Don’t let him see us.”
Hastily moving behind the high bushes, though neither boy could explain just why he did so, they watched their fellow-guest, as his skiff was swiftly sent ashore and Mr. Button himself stepped out upon the land.
It was plain that he was not aware of the presence of the boys and that all his movements were being keenly watched.
The interest of the boys, however, was speedily increased and in a brief time both were highly excited when they saw Mr. Button take from his pocket a revolver, which he inspected carefully and after he had returned it to its place he at once started toward the house in the distance.
It was the same rude, little shanty in which the boys had found refuge the preceding day. Now, however the sun was shining brightly and the clear waters of the lake were reflecting its beams. There were no signs of life about the house on the shore, but both boys excitedly watched Mr. Button as he made his way across the fields and after a brief time approached the side door of the house and then entered the little building.
“Let’s go up to the house, too,” suggested Fred quickly.
“What for?”
“Why, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t go and if there’s any fun going on we want to be on hand.”
“I’m with you,” said John cordially, and as soon as they had banked their fire both boys started across the open field toward the house in the distance.
“I’m telling you,” said Fred in a low voice, “there’s something going on up in that house.”
“You always make a mountain out of a mole hill.”
“Well, perhaps I do, but I’m sure there’s something doing and they may need us before long.”
“Yes, probably they are wondering now why we don’t come,” laughed John.
“Just you wait,” retorted Fred. “You’ll see I’m right.”
“If I thought you were, I know of one fellow who wouldn’t go near that house.”
“But you’re going just the same,” said Fred positively.
There was no delay and after the boys had crossed the field they approached the kitchen-door of the rude, little house where Fred made known their presence by his noisy summons.
In response to Fred’s knock the door was opened by the little Japanese servant. He stared blankly at the boys and then broke into another of his loud laughs.
“Is there any one here?” inquired Fred.
The response of the Japanese was another boisterous laugh.
“Why don’t you tell us?” demanded John, irritated by the manner of the little man; but the sole response of the Japanese was a loud burst of laughter after each inquiry.
“Let’s go in anyway,” suggested Fred.
The Japanese offered no opposition to their entrance and when they were within the familiar room they glanced hastily about them, but there were no signs of the man they were seeking.
Abruptly, however, Fred said, “Hush! Listen, Jack! That’s the captain’s voice upstairs.”
Both boys were silent as they listened attentively to the sound of voices which now could be heard from the upper room. Gradually the captain’s voice became louder and it was manifest that he was either in trouble or angry.
To the astonishment of the boys the interview suddenly ended and the captain, rushing down the stairway, abruptly departed from the house. Apparently he had been unaware of the presence of either of the boys. He had glanced neither to the right nor to the left and as the boys looked out of the window they saw that he was walking rapidly toward the shore.
“Let him go,” said John, “he’ll have to wait for us anyway.”
“I wish I was sure that he would wait,” said Fred doubtfully.
“Wait? Of course he’ll wait,” retorted John. “That’s what he’s paid for.”
“I’m not so sure,” said Fred once more. “I think the best thing to do would be for one of us to go back and see that everything is all right.”
“All right,” responded John quickly. “You stay here if you want to and I’ll go down to the shore and see if anything happens there.”
Meanwhile Fred seated himself in the room and watched the Japanese servant, who apparently ignored his presence save occasionally when he stopped and stared blankly at him for a moment and then broke into a noisy laugh.
Not many minutes had elapsed, however, before John came running back to the house.
“The captain has taken the skiff and left the island!” he said excitedly when he burst into the room.
“Oh, I guess not,” said Fred.
“But he has, I tell you. He was rowing like mad. He has taken the skiff and left us here.”
“We’ll go down to see about it,” said Fred, abruptly rising and accompanying his friend as together they ran back to the shore.
“There it is, just as I told you!” said John, when they arrived on the bluff. “The boat has gone and the captain has gone with it.”
For a moment Fred made no reply. He glanced in either direction along the shore, and then peered intently out over the water, but neither the boat nor the captain was to be seen.
“What shall we do?” demanded John. “That’s strange and I told you there’s something wrong.”
“He’ll come back again,” said Fred confidently.
“I’m glad you think so,” responded John. “I’m not so sure of it myself.”
“It’ll come out all right,” persisted Fred. “Come on now, we’ll go up to the house again.”
When the boys returned to the house and once more entered the kitchen, the little Japanese servant, who met them at the door, made no protest when they entered.
Once more the boys seated themselves in chairs near the window. They occasionally glanced blankly at each other for there was really no explanation for their presence in the house. At the same time they were both watching the waters of the lake not far away, but their watching was vain, for when an hour had passed no signs of the captain had been seen.
“Where is the man that lives here?” finally Fred inquired of the Japanese.
The servant laughed loudly, but shook his head to imply that he did not understand.
“He knows English, all right, I’m telling you,” said John in a low voice to Fred. “This is getting all mixed up. I wish we were back in Mackinac.”
“You are finding trouble everywhere, Jack,” said Fred, although he too was at pains to speak in subdued tones. Turning once more to the Japanese he continued, “Can you get us some supper? We’ll pay you for it.”
The sole reply of the servant was another of his unmusical bursts of laughter. Either he did not understand what was said, or he took this method of ignoring the requests of his uninvited visitors.
“Let’s go back to the shore,” suggested John.
“All right,” responded Fred, and together the two boys at once departed from the little house.
When they arrived at the shore not only was their own boat gone, but the boat in which Mr. Button had come had also disappeared.
“What do you make of that?” demanded John in astonishment.
“I’m sure I don’t know,” answered Fred, genuinely surprised by the double disappearance.
“Maybe I’m not Calamity Jane’s brother after all,” said John. “There’s more in this than you think.”
Fred was silent, though it was plain that he was puzzled by the failure to discover any of the boats. TheGadaboutalso was nowhere within sight.
“Nothing for us to do,” said Fred at last, “except to wait. They must know we’re here and there’s no way for us to get away unless theGadaboutcomes for us.”
“Then we’ll have to wait,” said John, “and that’s all there is to it.”
Together the boys remained on the shore until at last the sun sank below the western horizon. Darkness would soon be creeping over the land and both boys now were more serious.
“It’s plain the boys are gone,” said Fred soberly. “I thought surely one of them would be back here.”
“Well, I didn’t,” said John. “The captain was in such a hurry when he started that I didn’t believe he would come back. I don’t half believe we will ever see him again anyway. I tell you there’s something wrong here.”
Fred’s expression was serious as without making any reply he looked out over the waters of the lake.
The darkness deepened and night would soon be at hand. “There’s nothing for it,” said Fred at last, “except to go back to the house.”
“I don’t know what good that will do,” said John, “but I’m ready to go if you want to. This is the strangest thing I have ever been mixed up in in my life. For my part I wish I was out of it.”
“Don’t cry, John,” said Fred, striving to speak cheerfully.
“I’m not crying,” retorted John, “but I don’t like the look of the whole thing. I tell you there’s something serious in it.”
Fred said no more and in a brief time the boys were standing once more at the kitchen door.
Again the little Japanese, who had the faculty of apparently being in different places at the same time, faced them as they entered. This time he did not greet their coming with his usual loud laughter, but as he made no protest the boys entered and Fred said to him, “Did you get some supper for us?”
Either the Japanese did not understand, or he continued his pretense, for he shook his head, though his expression was not unfriendly.
Both boys had suspected when they returned that the Japanese was about to bar their entrance. Either they were mistaken, or he had changed his plan for now he busied himself in his duties about the kitchen, apparently ignoring the presence of the two uninvited guests.
A few minutes later both boys were startled by what they were certain was the voice of a woman calling from the head of the stairway.
“Mikado,” called the woman, “did you let those boys in again?”
Whether the Japanese understood or not he ran to the foot of the stairway and a low conversation between him and the woman who had called him followed, of which neither Fred nor John was able to distinguish any word.
“You better give them some supper,” at last she said in tones that the boys plainly heard. “Tell them to go away then. We haven’t any place for them to sleep.”
A candle was burning on a little side table in the kitchen and in its dim light each boy was able to see the face of his companion. It was plain to each that the other was now seriously perplexed. However, a few minutes later, the Japanese entered the room with a tray on which he had a simple supper to which by a motion of his head he invited the boys.
“Do you see how dark it is?” whispered John to Fred.
“Yes,” replied Fred as he glanced out of the window. There were no stars to be seen in the sky and the wind as it whistled about the corner of the little building gave forth sounds that were weird and strange.
The boys seldom spoke throughout the meal and when at last they arose, one of them took some money from his pocket and handed it to the Japanese, who served them.
Quickly the little man took the money and thrust it into his pocket. No language was required for the transaction and it was clearly manifest that he understood the action of his guest.
“Let’s go down to the shore again,” suggested Fred. “Perhaps one of the boats has come in and the fellows are looking for us now.”
Both boys ran swiftly on their return but when they arrived on the bluff once more they were doomed to disappointment. Not a boat was to be seen in the dim light. Nor was any light to be seen as they looked out over the waters. Somehow the darkness itself seemed to be startling.
“There isn’t any boat here and there isn’t any boat coming,” said Fred at last.
“What shall we do?” inquired John.
“There’s only one thing for us to do,” said Fred, “and that’s to go back to the house. We’ll have to explain to them why we haven’t left, and I don’t believe that woman, even if she didn’t want us to see her, will turn us out on a night like this. We’ll tell her that we’ll pay for our lodging and I guess she’ll let us in.”
Neither boy, however, was confident of his welcome when they once more retraced their way and started back toward the little house which now itself was wrapped in darkness. Not even the beams of the candle now could be seen shining through the kitchen windows.
Slowly the boys again crossed the familiar field. In their distraction the various objects assumed grotesque forms in the dim light. The swaying branch of a low tree seemed almost like the extended arm of a waiting man. Every sound that came from the waters startled them. The cry of the night birds was unusually weird and penetrating.
Neither of the boys was willing to acknowledge that he was afraid, but nevertheless they kept closely together and did not speak until once more they were standing before the kitchen door.
Both were startled when not far away they heard the sound of a deep growl. They had not seen any dogs about the premises in their previous visits and both were startled by the unexpected sound.
In their haste and alarm they both began to rap upon the door. The dog, still growling, did not advance upon them, but they could see the dim outline of his form as he stood near the corner of the house.
There was no sound within and no response was given to their summons. Nor when they repeated their knocking, as they did several times, was any heed paid them.
“What shall we do?” whispered Fred, looking up into the face of his companion. “There must be somebody in here.”
“Open the door,” suggested John.
Fred reached for the latch, and, doing his utmost to be quiet in his action in order to avoid undue attention on the part of the dog, tried to open the door.
The door, however, was locked or bolted and although both boys pushed against it with their shoulders they were unable to move it. For the first time they were aware now how massive and strong the door was.
“It isn’t much like an ordinary kitchen door,” whispered Fred as they abandoned their effort.
“I should say not,” responded John. “We can’t get in and that’s the only thing I can see plainly around here.”
“I wish George and Grant were here.”
“So do I, but if wishes were horses, beggars might ride. Is that dog creeping any nearer to us?”
“I don’t see that it is. I guess all there is left for us is to go back to the shore and wait.”
“We seem to be left on all sides, don’t we?”
“Pretty much, and I hope that dog thinks so too.”
Cautiously withdrawing from the kitchen door the boys slowly moved toward the corner of the house. Not far before them was a pile of wood and in case they should be attacked by the growling brute, they were hopeful that there they might find some weapon of defense.
Suddenly both boys found themselves in need. With another growl the dog advanced upon the boys as soon as they had passed the corner.
Leaping to the wood-pile John drew forth a stick three or four feet in length and only about two inches in diameter. Fred was less fortunate and unable to secure a weapon he darted toward the opposite side of the pile.
Meanwhile John was compelled to face the dog. As the savage animal leaped forward John struck at it, but either his blow was too slow, or he did not see plainly in the dim light, for he failed to stop its progress. He had, however, almost succeeded in dodging the brute, which fastened its teeth in his trousers and steadily held John in his grip.
“Hit him! Hit him!” said John excitedly. “He’s got me and I can’t get away!”
In response to the appeal of his comrade Fred hastily took a stick from the wood-pile and advanced upon their common enemy. The dog, however, still clung to John in spite of the boy’s desperate attempts to use his club.
Lifting the stick which he carried Fred brought it down with all his force upon the back of the dog, which still was growling and clinging to its prisoner. There was a loud yelp of pain and relinquishing its hold the dog fled howling back to the house.
Without waiting to discover the reception which awaited the animal, both Fred and John started swiftly across the field toward the shore.
Frequently they glanced behind them, but it was manifest that the dog was not pursuing them.
“He’s got a backache,” suggested Fred, “or else he’s homesick. He doesn’t want to leave the house.”
“I hope he doesn’t,” said John heartily. “I didn’t know there was any dog around there.”
“Nor I. I don’t know where they kept him.”
“If they will only keep him now that’s all I want.”
Nothing more was said until at last the boys arrived at the shore. Both looked keenly out over the waters hoping to discover some trace of their friends. In the dim light, however, they were unable to discover the presence of any boat on the waters or of any parties on the bluff. The night air was becoming cooler, although the breeze which had arisen at sunset had now died away.
For several minutes the boys stood waiting and listening upon the shore and then Fred in a loud whisper said hastily, “Listen, Jack. Do you hear anything?”
“On the water?” inquired John.
“Yes.”
Both boys listened intently and in a brief time John said eagerly, “I do hear something. To me it is like the sound of oars in oarlocks.”
“That’s it. That’s it exactly,” said Fred. “There’s a boat out there somewhere, only we can’t see it. Let’s get behind these bushes and wait until it comes nearer.”
Acting upon Fred’s suggestion they quickly took their places behind a low growth of bushes only a few feet back from the water. There they were still able to see what occurred on the lake, and at the same time in the dim light would not be readily discovered by any parties that were approaching.
Not many minutes elapsed before the dim outlines of the skiff were discerned. There was only one occupant and he was rowing toward the shore, apparently unconcerned whether or not his presence was known.
“Ahoy, there!” called John abruptly.
The sound of the oars abruptly ceased and a brief period of tense silence followed.
“Who’s in the skiff?” called John.
“Wait until I come ashore and I’ll tell you,” came the reply. With a few sturdy strokes the oarsman sent the light little skiff ashore and as he stepped out on the ground both boys were startled when they discovered the newcomer to be Mr. Button. Why he should be coming from the lake was something they could not explain.
“Where’s theGadabout?” demanded Fred eagerly.
“I haven’t seen it.”
“Haven’t you seen anything of the other boys?”
“Not a trace of them.”
“What do you suppose has become of them?” demanded John, who was beginning to be seriously troubled by the failure of his friends to appear.
“I cannot say,” replied Mr. Button. “What are you doing here?”
“That’s what we should like to know ourselves,” replied Fred ruefully. “We can’t get into the house and we haven’t any boat so it looks very much as if we would have to stay here on the shore all night.”
“Can’t you get into the house?” inquired Mr. Button.
“No, sir. We have been up there two or three times. The doors are locked and no one pays any attention to us when we rap. Besides they have got a dog there and he’s a savage brute. He got John by the trousers and wouldn’t let go until I hit him on the back with a stick of wood.”
“Was it John or the dog you hit?” inquired Mr. Button dryly.
“The dog, of course. What are we going to do now, Mr. Button?”
“I think I can get you over to the shore of Drummond Island, but I should like very much to have you wait a little while before we start.”
“All right,” replied both boys together.
“Meanwhile,” suggested Mr. Button, “I would like to have you come with me up the shore as far as that cove where the mate left his skiff after it was stove in. It isn’t more than one hundred yards or so from here.”
The boys readily consented after they had assisted Mr. Button to haul his boat farther up on the beach.
Whatever the purpose in the mind of the man was he did not explain, nor were the boys able to conjecture what it was after they had walked along the shore as far as the cove and then had returned to the spot where the skiff in which Mr. Button had come had been left.
Their consternation, however, was great when after a vain search they were convinced that the skiff was gone. That it could have drifted away was impossible. All three were alike convinced of that fact. There was not much wind now and the little boat had been hauled so far from the water that it was impossible for it to drift away. There was only one conclusion and that was that some one had taken it.
For a moment they stood in silence after they were convinced that the boat indeed was gone, and then the boys, keenly excited, turned to their companion demanding what he would suggest as the next thing to be done.
For several minutes the boys ran up and down the shore vainly searching for the missing boat. They were convinced that some one had taken the skiff and probably was not far away, as it would be impossible for any one to go far during the short time that had elapsed since they had left the spot where Mr. Button had landed.
At last the search was abandoned and when the boys returned they discovered Mr. Button awaiting their coming.
“Listen, boys,” he said in a low voice. “Do you hear any sound?”
The boys were silent, but in a brief time Fred said quickly, “Yes, sir, I think I hear a motor-boat.”
“You are correct,” said Mr. Button. “There’s a boat coming this way. I have been sure of it for two or three minutes, but I have not been able to make out its outlines, as yet. Can either of you boys see it?”
Neither Fred nor John was able to discern the outlines of the boat, which steadily sounded nearer. A few minutes only had passed before Fred gleefully announced his discovery of the approaching motor-boat.
“I think it must be theGadabout,” he said eagerly. “Probably George and Grant are on board and they are looking for us. Shall I hail them?”
“No, no,” said Mr. Button quickly. “At least not yet. We had better wait here until we are sure who is on board.”
Obediently the boys followed the instructions and waited until the motor-boat had come within twenty feet of the shore. There the power was shut off and the course slightly reversed, so that theGadabout, for it was indeed the missing boat, came slowly about, broadside to the island.
Although the boat was so near, it was impossible for John or Fred to see who was steering. They were aware that at least three were on board for they saw plainly the forms of the men as they let go the anchor and the boat became stationary.
“I guess it’s George and Grant—” began Fred, at the same time preparing to advance near the water. He was sharply recalled, however, by Mr. Button, who once more urged the boys to remain behind the bushes where they had taken their stand until they had seen who made up the party on theGadabout.
Only a brief time elapsed before a man stepped on board a skiff and pushed out from the motor-boat to the shore. Without using his oars the boat soon ground on the beach and when the occupant stepped forth both of the watching boys were aware that it was the mate of theGadabout.
He pulled his skiff up on the shore, and then, scarcely glancing behind him, at once passed swiftly into the field and soon disappeared from sight.
“He’s going up to the house,” said Fred in his excitement.
“It looks like it,” said John. “Shall we follow him?” He had turned to Mr. Button as he spoke.
“No,” said the man quickly. “The thing for us to do is to take this skiff and board theGadabout.”
“All right,” said John eagerly. “Hadn’t we better hail the other fellows before we do that though? We are not sure that Grant and George are on board.”
“Yes, hail them,” said Mr. Button, “but don’t make much noise about it.”
John stepped forth from behind the bushes and taking his stand on the shore called, “Ahoy there! George, is that you?”
“Who’s that?” came the response from the motor-boat.
“Fred and I are here,” responded John.
“Who are ‘I’?” laughingly came from some one on board theGadabout.
“I guess you know who we are. That’s you, isn’t it, George?”
“It’s Grant and I.”
“That’s all I wanted to know,” responded John. “Wait a minute and we’ll be with you.”
John and Fred quickly hauled the skiff into the water but before they had taken their seats Mr. Button approached and said, “Don’t leave me behind, boys.”
“We aren’t going to stay very long,” suggested Fred.
“That will be all right,” said Mr. Button, “but take me with you.”
The boys delayed a moment while Mr. Button stepped on board and seated himself in the stern of the little skiff. A moment later the little boat was alongside theGadaboutand all three stepped on board, Fred still holding the painter in his hand.
Before them sat George and Grant peering eagerly into their faces and plainly surprised by the unexpected action of their companions.
“We must leave right away,” said Mr. Button.
“What for?” demanded Fred.
“I haven’t time to explain to you,” said Mr. Button, “but the only thing for us to do is to get away from this island, and theGadaboutis the best means for us to use.”
“But the boat doesn’t belong to us,” protested John.
“Doesn’t it?” laughed Mr. Button. “Didn’t you hire it for the day? Didn’t you pay the man to bring you out to Drummond Island and then carry you back to Mackinac?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, he hasn’t done all he agreed to, has he?”
“No, sir, but—”
“Then there’s no reason in the world why we shouldn’t start out. It must be between nine and ten o’clock at night. We have been cheated out of a good deal of our day by the captain and we have a right to take his boat and go on back to Mackinac if we want to.”
The boys still hesitated to adopt the unusual suggestion and after a brief silence, John said, “I don’t believe any of us knows very much about running a motor-boat.”
“That isn’t necessary,” said Mr. Button. “I know all about it.”
Meanwhile, although he continued his conversation with the boys, Mr. Button had hauled in the anchor and then made fast the skiff to the stern.
Without waiting for any further words he at once advanced to the wheel and as soon as the power was turned on the speedy, little craft began to draw away from the dim shores of Cockburn Island.
They had not gone far, however, before they heard a loud hail from the shore.
“Hi, there!” called some one. “What are you doing with that motor-boat? Come back here! Come back here with it!”
A low suggestion from Mr. Button caused all the boys to remain silent.
Again the hail came from the shore, louder than before and in tones of one who evidently was angry or alarmed.
“Come back with that boat! You’ll run her aground! I’ll have you arrested for piracy! Bring that boat back here!”
All four boys were decidedly uneasy over the situation in which they now found themselves. They had recognized the voice of the mate as the one which had ordered them to return with the boat. They were aware also that the charge he had made, that they were stealing or running away with a chartered boat, might become a serious matter for all concerned.
Almost as if he was aware of the thoughts in the minds of his companions, Mr. Button said quietly, “Don’t be afraid, boys. I’ll see you out of this trouble, but just now there’s nothing else to be done. You can put the whole blame on me, for I’m the one that took theGadabout. I’m steering her and I am taking her against your protests. You see you cannot help yourselves because we’re too far from the shore now for you to try to get back.”
At that moment again there came a loud call from the shore, but it was evident from the tones of the voice that theGadaboutwas rapidly leaving Cockburn Island behind her.
“Bring back the boat! I’ll give you ten dollars to bring her back!”
Silence still followed the noisy offer, however, and only a few minutes had elapsed before theGadabouthad passed beyond the sight of any one who might be standing on the shore.
Apparently Mr. Button was not in any confusion as to the course he was to follow. Directly across the narrow waters he steered until in a brief time the shore of Drummond Island loomed before them. Then changing his course he guided the swift, little craft on a line parallel with the shore. The boat was moving southward and all four of the unwilling passengers expected that in a brief time they would pass the point of Drummond Island and then would turn westward and seek the harbor at Mackinac.
The speed of theGadaboutwas increasing now and in the dim light the waters near the stern seemed almost to glow with light. There was excitement for the boys in the midst of the mystery, but all had become silent and watchful of the man at the wheel.
Swiftly the littleGadaboutplowed its way across the smooth waters. The point of Drummond Island was passed and then to the amazement of the boys the course was not changed. TheGadaboutnow was headed for the open waters of Lake Huron. Mackinac Island lay far to their right.
“You have made a mistake, Mr. Button,” called George anxiously. “This isn’t the way back to Mackinac Island.”
“Don’t be alarmed, boys,” replied Mr. Button, without glancing behind him. “I’ll bring you out all right.”
“But you are headed in the wrong direction,” protested Fred.
“Don’t be afraid,” said Mr. Button once more. “I know what I am doing and so will you all pretty soon.”
It was too dark to enable any of the boys to perceive the expression on the faces of his comrades. That they all were aghast at the unexpected turn of events, however, was manifest to all, but the littleGadabout, as if the anxiety of its passengers was of no concern, kept steadily on its way toward the open waters of Lake Huron.
The four boys huddled together near the stern of the swiftly moving motor-boat. For a few minutes silence rested over the group. They were aghast at the turn of events and all were alike fearful of the consequences of their appropriation of theGadabout, although no one acknowledged his fears.
George was the first to break the silence, when, leaning toward his friends he said in a whisper, “He’s veering off to the left now. Do you see what he’s doing?”
“So we are,” replied John after the boys had carefully looked ahead. “That must mean that we are headed for the Canadian shore somewhere.”
“I don’t know where we are headed,” said Grant, “but we’re going to get there pretty soon. I wish I knew what the trouble is.”
“You don’t suppose Mr. Button is crazy, do you?” suggested Fred.
“I don’t know,” replied Grant soberly. “Most of the people that have his name are candidates for insane asylums.”
“You are safe in making that remark now,” retorted Fred. “I shan’t forget it, however. You wait until we go back to Mackinac—”
“I’m afraid if you wait until then,” broke in George, “you’ll forget all about his kind words. You don’t suppose this fellow is really crazy, do you? He acts like a man beside himself.”
“That’s as true as you live,” said John in a whisper. “I’m wondering if we ought not to jump on him all together and take the wheel away from him.”
“They say a crazy man is ten times as strong as a man who isn’t crazy,” suggested Fred. “I don’t believe we had better attempt that, yet awhile, anyway.”
“What’s become of his man?” inquired Grant abruptly. “He isn’t on the boat.”
“That’s right,” responded the boys all together, after they had glanced all about the boat, as if they were expecting to discover the guide whom Mr. Ferdinand Button had taken with him when the party had set out from Mackinac Island.
“We’re four to one anyway,” said John. “I’m not in any hurry yet to try to do anything violent, but if the worst comes we ought to be able to handle him. There’s a fellow for each foot and each hand and between us we ought to be able to take care of him.”
Meanwhile the swift littleGadaboutwas speeding forward, as if it was governed by a spirit of its own. The water rushed past the stern, boiling and singing on its way. The eyes of the boys, more accustomed now to the dimness of the light, saw no objects in whichever direction they glanced over the dark waters. And the speed of the motor-boat was unchecked.
Still theGadaboutswept forward in its course. Not once did Mr. Ferdinand Button give any token to indicate that he was even aware of the presence of the boys on board the boat. He had not once glanced behind him and if he was looking steadily ahead, the boys, who frequently glanced in that direction, were unable to discover any object toward which he was guiding his course.
Silence fell upon the little group seated in the stern of the motor-boat, and the depression which rested upon all alike seemed to deepen with the passing moments.
Suddenly the speed of theGadaboutslackened. A moment later the engine ceased to go and although the motor-boat was still moving swiftly forward it was doing so because of the headway under which it had been speeding.
Instantly every boy leaped to his feet and stared blankly into the faces of his companions. In spite of the dimness of the light the alarm which every one felt was manifest and for a moment there was silence deep and intense.