"The captain isn't such a bad fellow, after all," observed Sam, when the three Rovers were left to themselves.
"He certainly isn't a brute," answered Dick. "But about being bad, that's another story."
"He's got an awfully shrewd face," put in Tom. "But I'm mighty glad he turned old Baxter down. That villain would ride over us roughshod."
"I think, all told, we have gained a point," continued Dick. "It's something to be treated decently, even if you are a prisoner. The question is, how long will we be caged up on board of the schooner?"
"I would like to know if theSwallowis in sight," said Tom."Wonder if I can't slip up the companion way and find out?"
He arose from the seat into which he had dropped, but before he could gain the doorway a sailor appeared and waved him back. Then the sailor took the seat the captain had occupied by the door.
"Are you sent to spy on us?" demanded Tom,
"I was sent to see that you didn't cut up any tricks," answered the tar. He was terribly crosseyed, but appeared to be rather good-natured. "You mustn't go on deck without the captain's permission."
"Can't we have any fresh air?"
"You'll have to ask the captain about that He said I was to watch you while you had breakfast, and keep you and those other folks from quarreling."
"What other folks, the Baxters?"
"Yes."
No more was said, and soon the cook appeared with a pot full of newly made coffee and a trayful of other things. The hasty lunch had been a scanty one, and it did not interfere with the boys' appetites for what was now set before them.
"This is all right," observed Sam, when he had almost finished eating. "We couldn't have a better meal on theSwallow." He turned to the sailor. "Is the yacht still in sight?"
He spoke carelessly, but the tar knew how much he was interested and smiled suggestively.
"No sail of any kind in sight."
"Where are we bound?"
"You'll have to ask the captain about that."
"Do you mean to say you don't know?"
The sailor nodded. "We follow orders, we do, and that's all," he observed, and then they could get nothing more out of him.
The boys took their time, yet the meal was finished inside of half an hour. They were just getting up from the table when Captain Langless reappeared.
"Well, how did the breakfast suit?" he asked.
"First-rate," returned Dick. "Now, if you don't mind, we would like to go on deck."
"You may do so under one condition."
"And that is——?"
"That you will go below again when ordered by me."
At this both Tom and Sam cut wry faces.
"You are rather hard on us," said Dick slowly.
"On the contrary, I think I am treating you generously. The Baxters wish to handcuff you and put you back into the hold."
There was a pause, and then the boys agreed, if allowed to go on deck, to go below again whenever the captain wished.
"But, remember, we are going to get away if we can," added Dick.
"All right, get away—if you can," rejoined Captain Langless. "If you go overboard you'll be in for a long swim, I can tell you that."
It felt good to get into the bright sunshine once more, and the boys tumbled up to the deck without ceremony. As soon as they had quitted the cabin the captain put away the weapons at hand, locking them in a closet.
As the sailor had said, no other craft was in sight, and on every hand stretched the calm waters of Lake Erie as far as eye could reach. The course was northwest, and Dick rightfully guessed that they were heading for the Detroit River. There was a stiff breeze blowing and, with every sail set, thePeacockwas making rapid headway.
It was not long before Dan Baxter came up to them. The bully's face was dark and threatening, yet he did not dare say much, for Captain Langless had given him warning that the prisoners must not be molested.
"I suppose you think it a fine thing to be up here," he began.
"It will be if we don't get too much of you." replied Tom bluntly. "I suppose you would give a good deal to be on land."
"Not particularly. We enjoy sailing. If not, we wouldn't have been out in our yacht."
"Where were you bound?"
"That was our business, Baxter."
"Oh, if you don't want to tell me, you needn't," growled the bully, and walked away.
"I'll wager he and his father have had a row with Captain Langless," observed Dick. "Otherwise he wouldn't be half so meek."
"I wish we could win Captain Langless over to our side," put in Sam suddenly, struck by the idea. "Do you suppose it could be done if we paid him well?"
"I'd hate to buy him off," said Tom.
"But it might be best," said Dick slowly. "We don't know what theBaxters may have in store for us."
"It's pretty plain to me what they want to do. They are going to hold us prisoners until father signs off his rights to that mining claim."
"And if father won't sign off?"
"Then they'll treat us pretty badly."
"Perhaps they'll kill us."
"We can sound Captain Langless—it won't do any harm."
"But you mustn't let the Baxters get an inkling of what is up."
For the present the captain was not in sight, having retired to the stern to consult Arnold Baxter upon several points. They remained on deck until noon, when the cook called them to dinner in the cabin. They found they were to dine with Captain Langless.
"I asked the Baxters to join us, but they declined," he observed, as they sat down. "Now I am not so high-toned."
"You mean you are not such a fool," returned Dick. "For myself, I am glad they are staying away. My meal would be spoiled if I had to eat with them."
"They are very bitter against you, that's certain," went on the owner of the schooner smoothly. "They want me to do all sorts of mean things. But I have declined. I am playing a game with them, but I want to do it as becomes a man."
Dick looked around, to see that no outsider was within earshot. "Why do you play the game with them, Captain Langless?" he whispered.
The owner of the schooner frowned.
"Well, one must make a living, if you want an answer," he returned shortly.
"True, but you might make a living more honestly."
"By helping us, for instance," added Tom.
"By helping you?"
"Yes, by helping us," resumed Dick.
"I must say, lads, I don't quite understand you." The captain looked at them sharply, as if anxious for either to proceed.
"Let us review the situation," continued the eldest of the Rovers. "In the first place, we take it that you have been hired by the Baxters to do a certain thing."
"Granted."
"The Baxters have promised to pay you for your work and for the use of your vessel."
"Granted again."
"You are running on dangerous ground, and if you get tripped up it means a long term of imprisonment."
"You are a clever fellow, Rover, and your school training does you credit. However, I don't know as any of us expect to get tripped up."
"No criminal does until he is caught."
"There may be something in that. But I am willing to take my chances.As the old saying goes: 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained.'"
"But wouldn't you rather venture on the right side?"
"You want me to come to terms; is that it?"
"We do. We can make it worth your while, if you will help us and help bring the Baxters to justice. Do you know that Arnold Baxter is an escaped convict, who got out of a New York prison on a forged pardon?"
"No, I know very little of the man."
"He is a bad one, and his son is little better. Standing in with them is a serious business. I don't know much about you, but you don't look like a man who is bad by choice."
At this the captain of thePeacocklet out a light laugh. "You talk as if you were a man of deep experience instead of a mere boy."
"I have had some experience, especially with bad folks—not only in this country, but in Africa, so that gives me an age not counted by years. To my mind it seems that a man ought to be more willing to make money honestly than dishonestly."
A long silence followed this speech.
"Tell me what you have to offer," said the captain, and leaned back in his chair to listen.
It was easy to see that Captain Langless was "feeling his way," as the saying is, and Dick felt that he must go slow or he might spoil everything. Criminals are of all shades and degrees, and look at affairs in a different light from honest men. It is said that some would rather be dishonest than honest, and Dick did not yet know how the owner of thePeacockstood on that point.
"Perhaps you had better tell us first what Arnold Baxter has offered you," said the elder Rover, as he looked the owner of the schooner squarely in the eyes.
"Well, he has offered considerable, if his schemes go through."
"And if they fail you get nothing."
"I am a good loser—so I shan't complain."
"Supposing I was to offer you several hundred dollars if you saw us safe on shore."
"How can you offer any money? You haven't got it with you, have you?"
"No. But I could get the money, and what I promised to pay I would pay."
"But several hundred dollars wouldn't be enough."
"If you helped to bring the Baxters to justice we might make it a thousand dollars," put in Tom, who was now as anxious as Dick to bring the captain to terms.
At the mention of a thousand dollars the eyes of Captain Langless glistened. The sum was not large, but it was sufficient to interest him. He had already received three hundred dollars from Arnold Baxter, as a guarantee of good faith, so to speak, but there was no telling how much more he could expect from that individual. If he could obtain thirteen hundred dollars all told, and get out of the affair on the safe side, he might be doing well.
"How would you pay this thousand dollars?" he asked.
"Our father would pay it. He is a fairly rich man, and anxious to seeArnold Baxter returned to prison."
"To get the man out of his path?"
"Partly that, and partly to see justice done. Come, what do you say?"
Before the captain could answer there came a call down the companion way.
"Two vessels in sight—a schooner and a steam tug," announced a sailor.
"Coming this way?" asked the master of the schooner.
"Aye, sir."
Captain Langless arose at once.
"I will have to ask you to step into the hold again," he said politely, but firmly. "I will talk over what you have offered later."
He motioned to the passageway leading to the hold. Sam was on the point of objecting, but Dick silenced him with a look.
"All right, we'll go," grumbled Tom. "But I'm going to take the dessert with me," and he took up a bowl of rice pudding and a spoon. Dick followed with a pitcher of water and a glass, at which the captain had to grin. As soon as they were in the hold the owner of the schooner bolted the door and fixed it so that it might not again be opened from the inside.
"Two ships in sight!" cried Sam, when they were alone. "We ought to have made a dash for liberty."
"It wouldn't have helped us," answered his oldest brother. "Those vessels must be some distance away, and before they came up we would be down here, handcuffed, and in disgrace with the captain. If we treat him right, we may win him over and finish the Baxters' game."
Sitting in the darkness they took their time about eating the rice pudding, and Dick placed the water where it could be found when wanted. Then they listened for the approach of the two vessels which the lookout had sighted.
Yet hour after hour went by and nothing of importance reached their ears. The vessels came up and passed them, and then thePeacockturned in for the mouth of the Detroit River. Soon the boys knew, by the steam whistles and other sounds, that the schooner was approaching some sort of harbor.
A dreary evening and night followed. ThePeacockcame to a standstill, and they heard the sails come down and the anchors dropped. But nobody came to them, and they had to sink to rest supperless. They remained awake until after midnight, then dozed off one after another.
When they awoke a surprise awaited them. The hold was lit up by the rays of a bright lantern hung on a hook near the door leading to the cabin passageway. Below the lantern stood a tray filled with eatables, and near at hand was a bucket of fresh water and half a dozen newspapers and magazines.
"By Jinks, this is not so bad!" observed Tom. "We are to have breakfast, that's certain."
"And reading to occupy our spare time," added Sam.
Dick, however, looked at the layout with a fallen face. "I don't like it," he said. "This looks too much as if the captain and the others meant to keep us here for some time."
"I suppose that's so," came from Tom, and then he, too, looked crestfallen.
"Well, let us make the best of it," said Sam, and began to eat, and the others did the same. Since time seemed no object they ate slowly, in the meantime reviewing the situation from every possible standpoint, but without arriving at any satisfactory conclusion.
They had allowed their watches to run down, so there was no telling what time it was. But at last a faint streak of sunshine, coming through a seam in the deck, told that it must be near noon. Yet no one came near them, and all was as silent, close at hand, as a tomb, although in the distance they heard an occasional steam whistle or other sound common to a great city.
There was nothing in the hold by which to reach the hatchway, but, growing weary of waiting, Tom dragged a box hither and asked Dick and Sam to stand upon it. Then he climbed on their shoulders, to find his head directly against the beams of the deck. He pushed with all of his strength on the hatch, to find it battened down on the outside.
"Stumped!" he cried laconically, and leaped to the floor of the hold."We are prisoners and no mistake."
After this they went back to the door leading to the cabin. But this likewise could not be moved, and in the end they sat down a good deal discouraged.
It was well toward night when they heard a noise at the door. As they leaped up, expecting to see the Baxters or Captain Langless, the barrier opened and the cook of the schooner appeared, backed up by two of the sailors. The cook had another trayful of food, which he passed to Dick in silence, taking the other tray in exchange.
"Where is Captain Langless?" asked Tom.
"Can't come now," answered the cook.
"Then send the Baxters here."
"They can't come either."
"Have they gone ashore?" questioned Dick.
"I can't answer any questions," and the cook started to back out.
"Who is in charge? We must see somebody."
"I am in charge," said a rough voice, and now the mate of the schooner thrust himself forward. "You had better be quiet until the cap'n gits back."
"Then he has gone ashore?"
"Yes, if you must know."
"And the Baxters with him."
"Yes, but all hands will be back soon."
"Are we in Detroit harbor?"
"Yes."
"Then I'm for escaping!" shouted Tom, and taking up the water pitcher he aimed it at the mate's head. The blow struck fairly, and the sailor went down, partly stunned. Seeing the success of his move Tom leaped for the passageway, and Dick and Sam followed their brother.
There are times when a movement made on the spur of the moment is more successful than one which is premeditated. The enemy is taken completely off guard and does not realize what is happening until it is over.
It was so in the present instance. The mate of thePeacockwas a tough customer and a heavy-built man, and the men behind him were also large, and none of the three had imagined that the boys would really undertake to combat them.
As the mate went down Tom leaped directly on top of him, thus holding him to the floor for the moment, and then struck out for the nearest man, hitting him in the chin. Then Dick came to his brother's aid with a blow that reached the sailor's ear, and he too fell back.
But the third man had a second to think, and he retaliated by a blow which nearly lifted poor Tom off his feet. But before he could strike out a second time, Sam, with the nimbleness of a monkey, darted in and caught him by one leg. Dick saw the movement, gave the sailor a shove, and the tar pitched headlong in the passageway.
The opening was now tolerably clear, and away went the three boys for the cabin, gaining the compartment before any of the men could follow. The door to the companion way was open, and up the steps they flew with all the speed at their command. They heard the sailors yell at them and use language unfit to print, but paid no heed. Their one thought was to put distance between themselves and those who wished to keep them prisoners.
"Stop! stop!" roared the mate. "Stop, or it will be the worse for you!"
"I guess we know what we are doing!" panted Tom. "Come on!" And he caught Sam by the arm.
The deck gained, they gave a hasty look around. The schooner was lying at anchor about a hundred yards from shore, at a short distance above the busy portion of the city.
"There ought to be a small boat handy," said Dick, leading the way to the stern.
"We can't wait for a boat," answered Sam. "Let us swim for it. Perhaps somebody will come and pick us up." And without further ado he leaped overboard. Seeing this, his brothers did likewise, and all three struck out boldly for the nearest dock.
It was a risky thing to do, with all their clothing on, but each was a good swimmer and the weather had made the water very warm. On they went, keeping as closely together as possible.
"Are you coming back?" furiously yelled the mate, as he reached the rail and shook his fist at them.
To this none of the boys made reply.
"If you don't come back I'll shoot at you," went on the man.
"Do you think he will shoot?" asked Sam, in alarm.
"No," answered Dick. "We are too close to the city, and there are too many people who would hear the shot."
"A boat is putting off from the shore," said Tom, a second later. "It contains three persons."
"Captain Langless and the Baxters!" burst out Dick. "Dive, and swim as hard as you can down the stream."
All promptly dove, and the weight of their clothing kept them under as long as they pleased to remain. When they came up they heard the mate yelling frantically to those in the boat, who did not at once comprehend the turn affairs had taken.
[Illustration: CAPTAIN LANGLESS CAUGHT HIM BY THE HAIR]
But when they saw the boys they began to row toward them with all swiftness.
"We must recapture them," cried Arnold Baxter. "If they get away, our cake will be dough."
"Then row as hard as you can," replied Captain Langless. He was at one pair of oars while Arnold Baxter was at another. Dan sat in the bow.
Slowly, but surely, the craft drew closer to the Rover boys, until it was less than a hundred feet off. Then it was seen that the lads had separated and were moving in three directions. Dick had ordered this.
"If we separate, they won't catch all of us," were his words. "And whoever escapes can inform the authorities."
On pushed the boys, striving as never before to gain the shore before the rowboat should come up to them.
The small craft headed first for Tom, and presently it glided close to him. He promptly dove, but when he came up Captain Langless caught him by the hair.
"It's no use, lad," said the captain firmly, and despite his struggles hauled him on board.
"Let me go!" roared Tom and kicked out lively. But the captain continued to hold him down, while Arnold Baxter now headed the boat toward Sam.
Sam was almost exhausted, for the weight of his wet garments was beginning to tell upon him. As the rowboat came closer he also thought to dive, but the effort almost cost him his life. He came up half unconscious, and only realized in a dim, uncertain way what was happening.
But the capture of Tom and his younger brother had taken time, and now those in the rowboat saw that Dick was almost to shore. To take him, therefore, was out of the question.
"We'll have to let him go," said Captain Langless. "The quicker thePeacockgets out of this the better."
"Yes, but if he gets away he'll make the ship no end of trouble," returned Arnold Baxter. "I've half a mind to fire at him," and he drew a pistol.
"No! no! I won't have it," cried the captain sternly. "To the schooner, and the quicker the better."
Holding Tom, he made the Baxters turn the boat about and row to thePeacock. The mate was waiting for him, and it did not take long to get on board. The mate wished to explain matters, but Captain Lawless would not listen.
"Another time, Cadmus," he said sharply. "Into the hold with them, and see they don't get away again. We must up sail and anchor without the loss of a minute. That boy who got away is going to make trouble for us."
"Aye, aye, sir!" said Cadmus, and dragged the unfortunates away to the hatch. He dropped both down without ceremony, and then saw to it that hatch and door were tightly closed and made fast.
In a few minutes the anchors were up and the sails hoisted, and thePeacockwas steering straight up Lake St. Clair toward the St. Clair River. To reach Lake Huron the schooner would have to cover a distance of seventy-five to eighty miles, and the captain wondered if this could be done ere the authorities got on their track.
"Once on Lake Huron we will be safe enough," he observed to Arnold Baxter. "I know the lake well, and know of half a dozen islands near the Canadian shore where we will be safe in hiding."
"But that boy may telegraph to St. Clair or Port Huron, or some other point, and have thePeacockheld up," answered Arnold Baxter.
"We've got to run that risk," was the grim reply. "If we get caught,I'll have an account to settle with Cadmus."
A while later the mate and the sailors who had been with him were called into the cabin, so that Captain Langless might hear what they had to say. The mate told a long story of how the boys had broken open the door leading to the cabin, with a crowbar, obtained from he knew not where, and had fought them with the bar and with a club and a pistol. There had been a fierce struggle, but the lads had slipped away like eels. The sailors corroborated the mate's tale, and added that the boys had fought like demons.
"I'll fix them for that," said Arnold Baxter, when he heard the account. "They'll find out who is master before I get through with them."
But this did not suit Captain Langless, who had not forgotten his talk with the Rovers at the dinner table. If it looked as if he was going to be cornered, he thought that a compromise with Tom and Sam would come in very handy.
"You mustn't mistreat the boys," he said, when Cadmus and the other sailors were gone. "It won't help your plot any, and it will only cause more trouble."
"You seem to be taking the affair out of my hands," growled ArnoldBaxter.
"I know I am running a larger risk than you," answered the captain. "I own this craft, and if she is confiscated I'll be the loser."
"But see what I have offered you."
"Yes, if we win out, as the saying goes. But things won't be so nice if we lose, will they?"
"I don't intend to lose. I have a scheme on hand for getting to LakeHuron before to-morrow morning."
"By what means?"
"Hire a large and swift tug to haul thePeacock. We can make splendid time, considering that the schooner is without a cargo."
"Who is going to pay the towing bill?"
"How much will it be?"
"The kind of tug you want will cost about fifty dollars."
"All right then, I'll pay the bill."
The idea pleased the captain, and the bargain was struck then and there.
Half an hour later a tug was sighted and hailed, and the captain told a story of a "rush job" waiting for him at Port Huron. A bargain was struck for the towing, and soon a hawser was cast over to the schooner and the race for Lake Huron began.
Dick was not aware that his brothers had been captured until some hours after the sailing of the schooner. He headed for a part of the river where several small craft were moving about, and was just about to climb up the spiling of one of the docks when a lighter hit him and knocked him senseless.
"We've struck a boy!" shouted a man on the lighter, and then rushed forward with a boathook. As soon as he caught sight of Dick he fished the youth from the water and hurried ashore with him.
The shock had not been a heavy one, but the lad was weak from swimming with his clothes on, and he lay like a log on the flooring of the dock. This alarmed the men from the lighter, and they hastily carried him to a nearby drug store and summoned a doctor. From the drug store he was removed to the hospital.
When he was strong enough to go about his business he found it was night. Yet he lost no time in making his way to the docks, on a search for his brothers.
The search was, of course, useless, and much depressed in spirits he found himself, at sunrise, on the waterfront, seated on the stringpiece of one of the long piers.
"They must have either been captured or drowned," he mused dismally."And thePeacockis gone, too. What shall I do next?"
It was far from an easy question to answer, and he sat motionless for the best part of half an hour, reviewing the situation. Then he leaped up.
"I must get the authorities to aid me," he thought. "I should have done this before."
He walked along the docks until he came to a street leading to the nearest police station. He now realized that he was hungry, but resolved to postpone eating until he had put the authorities on the track of the evildoers.
As he was turning a corner he almost ran into a colored man going in the opposite direction. The colored man stared at him, then let out a wild cry of delight.
"Massah Dick, or is I dreamin'?"
"Aleck, by all that's wonderful! Where did you come from?"
"From de yacht, ob course, Massah Dick. But—but—dis knocks dis niggah, suah! I dun fink yo' was on dat udder ship."
"I was on it, but I escaped yesterday, while the schooner lay in the river yonder."
"An' where am Tom and Sam, sah?"
"That I don't know. They left the vessel with me, but we became separated in the water."
"Perhaps da dun been cotched ag'in," and Pop's face took on a sober look.
"That is what I am afraid of."
"Didn't see nuffin ob 'em nowhere?"
"No. I was hit by a lighter and knocked senseless."
"Whar's dat darPeacock?"
"Gone, too."
"Wot you spects to do?"
"I was going to inform the authorities. We must find Tom and Sam."
"Dat's right, sah."
"Where is theSwallow?"
"Tied up jest below heah, sah. Dat dar Luke Peterson is a-sailin' ob her wid me."
"Good. Perhaps he can help us in the search. He knows these waters well, so he told me."
Together the pair made their way to the police station, where they told their stories to the officer in charge.
An alarm was at once sent out, and the river police were set to work to learn what had become of thePeacockand her crew.
But all this took time, and it was past noon when word came in that the schooner had been seen moving up Lake St. Clair on the afternoon of the day before.
Then word was telegraphed to Port Huron to stop the craft, and on his own responsibility Dick offered a reward of one hundred dollars for the capture of ship and master.
But all this came too late. Losing no time, Captain Langless had had his craft towed to a point fifteen miles beyond Port Huron, and had then let the tug go, and steered a course known only to those on board.
The tug did not return to Port Huron until the next day, and its captain did not know how much thePeacockwas wanted until twenty-four hours later. Thus the schooner obtained a free and clear start of thirty-six hours over those who were in pursuit.
"We are stumped," groaned Dick, when word came back from Port Huron that thePeacockhad passed that point long before. "That schooner now has the whole of Lake Huron before her, and there is no telling where she will go. Perhaps the Baxters will land in Canada."
"I don't think so," answered Luke Peterson. "American vessels coming in-shore are closely watched, you know, on account of the smuggling that is carried on."
"Then the smugglers between the United States and Canada are still at work."
"Indeed they are, more so than the average American has any idea of. I used to be in the customs service, and I know."
"Where do you suppose Captain Langless will go to?"
"Ah, that's a question, Rover. The lake is over two hundred miles long, and I've heard tell that there are over twenty-five hundred islands, large and small. That's a pretty good place for a ship to hide in, eh?"
"And you reckon thePeacockwill go into hiding?"
"More than likely, while these Baxters carry out their little game—that is, providing your brothers are on board—and I fancy they are. I can tell ye, I fancy they are a tough crowd all around."
"Well, one comfort, thePeacockwon't get very far anywhere along shore without being spotted, for the police have sent the news to all principal places."
"Well, that's a good plan. Now if we could only follow that schooner up—"
"Will you go with me in a hunt? I will willingly pay you for your services."
"I will. But we ought to have a steam tug instead of a yacht."
"I will charter one. I have already telegraphed to my father for the necessary funds," returned Dick, and he told the truth. The long telegram had gone an hour before. He had also sent word to Larry Colby, telling of the turn of affairs.
The telegram to Mr. Rover brought a characteristic reply, running as follows:
"I send you the money you want. Be careful and keep out of danger. Will come on by the first train."
The message to Larry Colby brought that student up to Detroit on the first train from Sandusky.
"I know just the steam tug you want," said Larry, when the situation was explained. "It is rum by old Jack Parsons, who knows my father well. I know he will do all he can for you, if he is paid for his time."
Larry Colby undertook to hunt up the tug, which was named theRocket, and found her tied up at one of the city docks. He introduced Dick, and before the hour was out a bargain was struck with Jack Parsons which was satisfactory all around. Parsons knew Luke Peterson, and said he would be glad to have the lumberman along on the hunt.
"He knows this lake as well as I do, and between us we ought to find thePeacock, sooner or later," said Parsons. He had heard about the raft disaster on Lake Erie, and was pleased to be able to inform Peterson that his friend Bragin was safe. The tug, however, which had been towing the raft, was laid up in Buffalo for repairs.
At first Dick thought to remain in Detroit until his father's arrival, but then he realized that it would be best for one of them to remain on shore while the other went on the hunt on the lake.
"We will sail at once," he said to his companions, but this could not be, since Aleck had not yet provided all of the necessary provisions for the trip.
While the colored man was completing his arrangements a newsboy came toDick with a note, running as follows:
"If you want news of thePeacock, and will promise not to harm me, come with the boy to the old grain elevator. The boy knows the place."
Dick read the note with interest, and then showed it to Peterson.
"Perhaps it's a trap," said the lumberman. "I wouldn't go alone, if I were you."
"I will go," answered Dick, "but I wish you would follow me up on the quiet," and so it was arranged.
When Dick reached the place mentioned he found it practically deserted.
"Who gave you that note?" he asked of the newsboy.
"A man. Here he comes, now."
The newcomer proved to be a lame man, who had in former years been a sailor. He lived in a shanty behind the grain elevator, and he came to Dick with difficulty.
"Come into my shanty and I'll tell you what I know," said the lame man."I'll not hurt you, so don't be afraid," and he hobbled off again.
Waving his hand to Peterson, who was in the distance, Dick followed the lame man and sat down on a bench in front of the shanty, the odd individual seating himself on a stool opposite.
"Want to find Captain Gus Langless, eh?" said the lame man, closing one eye suggestively.
"Yes."
"I read of the case in the papers. He's a bad un, eh?"
"What do you know of the case?" demanded Dick impatiently. He realized that he had a decidedly queer individual with whom to deal.
"Know everything; yes, sir, everything. Jock Pelly don't keep his earsopen for nothing, not me. An' I said to myself when I read the papers,'Jock, you've learned something of value—you must sell the news,' saysI to myself."
"But what do you know?"
"Gettin' to that, sir; gettin' there fast, too. Did you offer a reward of a hundred dollars?"
"Yes."
"Who's going to pay that amount? It's a pile of money, a hundred dollars is."
"It will be paid, you can be easy on that point."
"Well, supposin' a man is lame and can't go after those rascals? What does he git for puttin' somebody on the track?"
"If you put me on the right track, I'll give you fifty dollars."
"Dead certain?"
"Yes. Now where has thePeacockgone to?"
"Needle Point Island," was the abrupt answer. "Go there, an' you'll find thePeacockand her crew, sure."
"Needle Point Island?" repeated Dick.
"Exactly, sir—Needle Point Island. Most of the lake pilots know it."
"How far is it from here?"
"About sixty miles."
"And how do you know thePeacockhas gone there?"
"Overheard Captain Langless talking about it, yes, sir—overheard him talking to a man named Baxter and a man named Grimsby—he as used to be a smuggler. Langless used to be in with Grimsby, although few know o' that. They talked a lot, but that wouldn't interest you. But the fact that they are goin' to Needle Point Island interests you, eh?"
"When did you hear this talk?"
"The morning you escaped from the schooner, accordin' to the newspaper."
"Where did you hear it?"
"Up on the other side of the elevator. The men came out of one o' the saloons to talk it over."
A long conversation followed, and Dick became more than half convinced that what Jock Pelly had to relate was true.
The man described the Baxters clearly, showing that he had really seen the pair, and also described Captain Langless' appearance on the morning in question.
"I will follow up this clew," Dick said, when ready to depart.
Jock Pelly caught the youth by the arm.
"Hold on!"
"What do you want now?"
"My reward. Don't I get that fifty dollars?"
"You do, if I catch the captain and his schooner."
"That aint fair—I ought to have the money now."
"I must prove what you have told me first You may be all wrong in your suppositions."
Jock Pelly's face fell.
"'Taint fair—I ought to have the money now. Maybe you won't ever come back."
"Don't alarm yourself, my man. If the information is of real value, you'll get paid for it. Here is something on account."
Dick slipped a five-dollar bill into the old man's hand, at which JockPelly's face relaxed. A few minutes later the elder Rover had joinedLuke Peterson and was telling the lumberman what he had heard.
"Needle Point Island!" exclaimed Peterson. "Yes, I know the spot Years ago it was a great hanging-out place for smugglers. But our government cleaned out the nest."
"Then it is likely that this man told the truth?"
"I don't know as Captain Langless could find a better hiding place. The island is in the shape of a five-leaf clover, and the bays are all surrounded with tall trees and bushes, so that a vessel could be hidden there without half trying. Besides that, the island is a rough one, full of caves and openings, and that would just suit a crowd holding those boys prisoners."
When the pair reached theRocketa consultation was held, and it was decided to start for Needle Point Island on the following morning. Jack Parsons said it would take from five to six hours to reach the locality.
Now that Dick had received what he thought was definite information, he was anxious to go to the island that had been mentioned, consequently the night proved a long and sleepless one to him. He awaited further news from his father, but none came.
But information did come which disturbed him not a little. He was speaking to Larry before retiring, and from one thing to another the conversation drifted around to Mrs. Stanhope, the widow who lived near Putnam Hall, and her pretty daughter Dora. As old readers know Dick was tremendously interested in pretty Dora, and had done much to keep her from harm.
"Before I came on, I heard that the Stanhopes had started on a trip for the lakes," said Larry. "They left Cedarville secretly, and I got the news quite by accident from Frank Harrington, who happened to see them off."
"I knew they were going, sooner or later," replied Dick. "Mrs. Stanhope was rather ill, as you know, and needed a change of some sort."
"I was wondering if she didn't want to get out of the way of Josiah Crabtree, who is just out of prison," continued Larry. "Oh, but wasn't he a slick one for getting around the widow—when he learned she was holding all that money in trust for Dora."
"He's something of a hypnotist, Larry—that is why Dora fears him. She is afraid he will hypnotize her mother into doing something she will be sorry for afterward."
"Do you really suppose he has so much influence as that?"
"He has when Mrs. Stanhope is not feeling well. The stronger she is, the less he seems to affect her. By the way, have you heard from old Crabtree since he was let out of jail?"
"Yes; some of us boys met him at Ithaca one Saturday. We started to have a little fun with him, asking him why he didn't come back to the Hall and ask Captain Putnam for another position, and how he liked live crabs in his bed. But he flew in a rage and threatened to have us all arrested if we didn't clear out, so we had to drop it. But I'll tell you one thing, Dick; I'll wager Crabtree's up to no good."
"Oh! he might possibly turn over a new leaf."
"Not he; it isn't in him. He was always a sneak, like Baxter, only a bit more high-toned, outwardly."
"I am anxious to know if he is aware where the Stanhopes have gone to?"
"I think he could find out if he tried hard. They made a mistake that they didn't go traveling before he got out of jail."
"They couldn't go, on account of Mrs. Stanhope's health. She had a relapse just about the time Crabtree's term was up. But he had better not bother them again, or—"
"Or what, Dick? Will you get after him again?"
"I will if I can, and I'll send him to jail for the rest of his life."
TheRocketwas to sail at six in the morning, and long before that time Dick and Larry, with the others, were on board. Jack Parsons reached the tug at the last moment, having had some private business which required his attention.
The day was fair, with a stiff breeze blowing, which was good for thePeacock, as Dick observed, if she was still sailing the waters of the lake.
Jack Parsons knew Needle Point Island as well as did Luke Peterson, and the former said he had stopped at the place only a few months before.
"I thought it was deserted," he said. "The old cave the smugglers used to use was tumbled in and overgrown with brush."
The run to Port Huron occurred without incident, and a little while later theRocketwas steaming merrily over the clear waters of Lake Huron.
Had it not been for his anxiety concerning his two brothers, Dick would have enjoyed the scene very much. TheRocketwas a fine tug, and cut the water like a thing of life. She carried a crew of five, all young and active fellows. This made the party eight, all told, and as Dick and his friends were armed and the tug boasted of several pistols, a gun, and a small cannon, those on board felt themselves able to cope with the enemy, no matter what occurred.
"We can't get there any too soon for me," said Dick to Luke Peterson. "There is no telling how cruelly Sam and Tom are being treated, now that they made the attempt to run away."
"I hope your father doesn't give the rascals any money before we have a chance to catch them," returned the lumberman.
"I think he will wait to hear from me, after he reads the letter I left for him at Detroit. He is as down on the Baxters as I am."
"When we come in sight of the island we'll have to move with caution," went on the lumberman. "If we don't, Captain Langless may lay low and give us the slip in the dark."
"Are there any other islands close to Needle Point?"
"A dozen of them, and some with just as good hiding places, too. That's why the smugglers used to hang out in that locality. They are ideal places for smugglers' caves and the like, I can tell ye that," and Luke Peterson nodded his head sagaciously.
At noon Parsons announced that they were within three miles of Needle Point Island. Dinner was ready, but it must be confessed that Dick was almost too excited to eat. Half a dozen vessels had thus far been sighted, but not one which looked like thePeacock.
He was finishing up a hasty repast when a cry came from the deck.
"Needle Point Island is in sight!" announced the lookout, and a moment later he added: "A schooner bearing away to the bay on the east end!"
"It must be thePeacock!" ejaculated Dick, and rushed to the deck to learn the truth.
"Now we are in for it, Sam. They won't give us a second chance to escape."
A groan was the answer, coming from out of the darkness of the hold of thePeacock. Sam was too much stunned and bruised to reply to the words from his brother.
The two boys had been hustled on board of the schooner with scant ceremony, and now they found themselves bound and handcuffed, so that it was next to impossible for either of them to move. Hour after hour had passed, yet nobody had come near them.
"I reckon they are going to starve us to death for what we did," went on Tom, after a long pause.
"If only I had a drink of water," came at last from his younger brother. "My mouth is as dry as a chip, and I seem to have a regular fever."
"Make the best of it, Sam," returned Tom soothingly. "This state of things can't last forever. If they—Oh!"
The schooner had suddenly tacked in the strong wind, and the bowling over of the empty craft had caused Tom to take a long roll. He struck up against his brother, and the pair went sliding to the end of the hold, to hit a jug of water which had been left there in the darkness.
"Hurrah, some water!" cried Tom, as some of the fluid splashed over his hand. But, alas! how were they to get at what was left of the contents of the jug, with their hands tied behind them?
But time was no object, and at last they solved the problem. At first Tom backed up to the jug and held it, though clumsily, for Sam to drink, and then the youngest Rover did the same for his brother. The water was warm and somewhat stale, yet both could remember nothing which had ever tasted sweeter to them. They drank about half of what the jug contained, then set the rest carefully away for future use.
ThePeacockwas bowling along at a speed of seven or eight knots an hour, and the creaking of the blocks attested the fact that Captain Langless was making every effort to reach his destination as soon as possible.
Once the boys heard somebody at the forward hatchway, and presently the hatch was lifted for a few inches.
"Hope you are enjoying yourselves down there," came in the sarcastic tones of Dan Baxter. To this they made no answer, and the hatch was closed as quickly as it had been opened.
"The brute," muttered Tom. "I'd give a good deal to be able to punch his nose!"
"He evidently thinks himself on top to stay," came from Sam, who had propped himself up against an empty cask. "Oh, if only we knew what had become of Dick!" he went on.
"Dick must have escaped. I don't see how it could be otherwise."
"But if he did, why didn't he notify the authorities?"
"ThePeacockmust have given the river police the slip; that's the only answer I can make, Sam."
"But they could have telegraphed to different points."
"Well, I can't make it out, and we'll have to take what comes."
"Where do you suppose we are bound?"
"I haven't the least idea."
Hour after hour went by, and still nobody came to them. It did, indeed, look as if they were to be starved to death. But just as Sam was almost fainting for the want of food, the door to the cabin passageway was flung open, and Captain Langless appeared with a lantern, followed by Arnold Baxter, who carried a tray containing a plate of bread and two bowls of beef stew.
"Hungry, I'll wager," said the captain laconically. All the pleasantness he had previously exhibited had vanished.
"You ought to be ashamed of yourselves to let us starve so long," replied Tom, who never hesitated to speak his mind.
"Hi! don't talk that way, or you shall have nothing," cried ArnoldBaxter. "We are masters, and you must understand it so."
The captain set down the lantern and released the right hand of each of the prisoners. Then the tray was set upon an upturned box, and they were told to eat what they wanted, the captain and Arnold Baxter sitting down to watch them.
There was no use to "stand upon then dignity," as Tom afterward expressed it, so they fell to without protest, and it must be confessed that the stew was just what their stomachs, in that weakened state, needed. It did not take long to get away with the larger portion of the bread and all of what the bowls contained.
"You can thank your stars that you got meal," said Arnold Baxter. "You don't deserve it."
"According to you, I suppose we don't deserve anything but abuse," replied Tom. "But, never mind, Arnold Baxter; remember the old saying, 'He laughs best who laughs last.'"
"I'm not here to listen to your back talk," growled Arnold Baxter."Come, captain, let us be going," and he arose.
"You've brought this treatment on yourselves," said the captain, with a shrewd look into the boys' faces. "I was of a mind to treat you kindly before. You know that."
"Come," insisted Arnold Baxter, and caught the captain by the arm. "Don't waste words on them. There will be time enough to talk when we reach the island." And then the two walked off, closing and locking the passageway door after them.
"The island?" repeated Sam. "Then they intend to take us to some lonely island, Tom!"
"I wouldn't be surprised. I've noticed by the shafts of light coming through the cracks overhead that we are sailing northward. We must be in Lake Huron by this time."
"One satisfaction, they left our right hands free," continued the youngest Rover. "And I must say that stew just touched the spot."
Again the hours drifted slowly by. The boys had really lost all track of time. They dozed off and did not awaken until some time later. Whether they had slept through a night or not they did not know.
Presently they heard the sails being lowered and an anchor go overboard. Then a boat put off from thePeacock, and for a while all became silent.
"We must be close to some landing," was Tom's comment. "Perhaps it's the island old Baxter mentioned."
Another half hour slipped by. Then the door to the cabin was opened, and both Baxters, Captain Langless, and the mate of the schooner appeared.
"Get up," ordered the captain, and when they arose he saw to it that their lower limbs were released, but that their hands were bound more tightly behind them than ever.
"We are going ashore," said Arnold Baxter, "Remember we want no treachery nor any attempt to run away. If you try either, somebody will get shot."
With this caution they were marched into the cabin and then on deck. At first the strong light blinded them, but soon they became accustomed to this, and made out a small bay just ahead, surrounded by cedar trees and various bushes. Back of the trees was a hill, and off to the southward a rocky elevation ending in a needle-like point. It was this elevation which gave to the island the name of Needle Point. By the Indians of days gone by the island was called Arrow Head.
A rowboat was in waiting beside thePeacock, and into this the prisoners were placed. The captain of the schooner and the Baxters also went along, and soon the rowboat had passed over the waters of the little bay and grounded on a bit of shelving beach.
"Now we'll go ashore," said Captain Langless, and glad enough for the change, Tom and Sam leaped upon the beach. The others followed, and tying up the boat, the master of thePeacockled the way through the trees and brush to the hill previously mentioned. Here there was a slight path, winding in and out among a series of rocks.
"Where are you going to take us?" said Tom.
"You'll find out soon enough," returned Arnold Baxter. "March."
"Supposing I refuse?"
"We'll knock you down and drag you along," put in Dan Baxter, anxious to say something.
"You had better come along quietly," said Captain Langless. "To kick will only make you worse off."
The march was resumed, and now they dove straight into the interior of the island, which was about a mile and a half long and half as wide. At some points the path was choked with weeds and trailing vines, and they progressed with difficulty.
It must be admitted that Tom and Sam were very uneasy. They had felt that the authorities might follow thePeacock, but how would anybody ever discover them in such a lonely place as this? But there was no help for it, and on they went until Captain Langless called a sudden halt.
They had gained a cliff running out from one end of the hill. The rocks arose in a sheer wall, thirty or more feet in height. At the base were a spring and a small pool of water. To the left of the spring was a cave-like opening, partly choked with brushwood.
"Here we are," said the captain. "Watch them."
He moved toward the opening and soon had a portion of the brushwood torn aside. Then he lit a lantern he had brought along and disappeared into the opening.
He had scarcely passed from view when he let out a yell of fright.
"A snake! Look out for him!"
The words just reached the ears of Sam and Tom when the reptile appeared. He was all of five feet long and as thick as a man's wrist.
"A snake!" screamed Dan Baxter, and took to his heels without waiting to see what the creature might do.
Arnold Baxter was less frightened, and snatching a pistol from his pocket, he took hasty aim and fired. But his aim was poor, and the bullet flew wide of its mark.
The snake was a dangerous one, and very much shot, and came straight for Tom and Sam. An instant later the savage reptile was coiling itself around the youngest Rover's left leg!