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At once Dick, Peterson, and the others were exposed to the gaze of Captain Langless. "Ha! I suspected as much!" roared the master of the schooner. "Sheer off, Wimble, or the game is up!" The helm of the Peacock was at once thrown over, and she began to move off. A stiff breeze caused her to make rapid progress. "Stop!" cried Dick. "Stop, or we will fire on you!"
But those Rover boys are slick, and always were." "What will you do when they come up?" "Warn them off." "I've got an idea, dad," came from Dan. "Well?" "Why not get out of sight and let Captain Langless invite them on board, to look for Dick. Then we can bag them and put them with Dick." "By Jove, that is a scheme!" exclaimed the rascally parent. "Langless, will you do it?
"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 the Peacock will go into hiding?"
Perhaps Dick has followed us up, after all!" "Anyway, we ought to find friends on that ship, Tom. Let us get to her as soon as possible." "I'm willing. But I must rest a bit, I'm so dead tired." "I wish we could get those on the strange ship to make the Baxters and Captain Langless prisoners." "Perhaps we can.
"No, I'll keep my eyes open," concluded Tom, and hurried away. It was now dawn, and the early workers were just getting to their employment. Soon Tom met a couple of watchmen and hailed them. "I am looking for the schooner Peacock," said he. "Do you know anything of the craft?" "Sure, an' that's Gus Langless' boat," said one of the watchmen.
"This is as good as any," answered Captain Langless. "If you are afraid, I'll go in myself," and turning, he disappeared once more into the opening, lantern in one hand and pistol in the other. He was gone the best part of quarter of an hour, and came back covered with dust and dirt. "The old spot is pretty well choked up with rubbish," he said.
"They went on board of your boat," put in Sam. "You must be mistaken." Captain Langless turned to his mate. "Find any stowaways on board?" "Nary a one," was the mate's answer. "And just came up from the hold, too." This talk perplexed Tom and Sam not a little. Was it possible Luke Peterson had made some mistake?
"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.
"We'll have to let him go," said Captain Langless. "The quicker the Peacock gets 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."
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."
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