"What! and leave them alone?"

"I will send a man down to see that they don't get into mischief."

"But I don't like this turn of affairs," stammered Arnold Baxter. He
was half afraid the captain was going back on him.

"It's all right; come," answered the owner of the _Peacock_; and a
moment later both men quitted the cabin.




CHAPTER XII.

A DINNER OF IMPORTANCE.


"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 the _Swallow_ is 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 the _Swallow_." 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, the _Peacock_ was 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 the
Baxters 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 be comes 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 the _Peacock_ let 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.




CHAPTER XIII.

PRISONERS THREE.


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 the _Peacock_ stood 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 see
Arnold 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 the _Peacock_
turned 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. The _Peacock_ came 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.




CHAPTER XIV.

DICK MAKES HIS ESCAPE.


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 the _Peacock_ was 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 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."

Holding Tom, he made the Baxters turn the boat about and row to the
_Peacock_. 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 the
_Peacock_ was 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 the _Peacock_ held 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 Arnold
Baxter.

"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 Lake
Huron before to-morrow morning."

"By what means?"

"Hire a large and swift tug to haul the _Peacock_. 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.




CHAPTER XV.

WHAT THE LAME MAN KNEW.


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 the _Peacock_ is 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 dar _Peacock_?"

"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 the _Swallow_?"

"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 the _Peacock_ and 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 the _Peacock_ was 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 the _Peacock_ had 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 the _Peacock_ will 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, the _Peacock_ won'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 the
_Rocket_, 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
the _Peacock_, 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 to
Dick with a note, running as follows:

"If you want news of the _Peacock_, 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 ears
open 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,' says
I 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 the _Peacock_ gone to?"

"Needle Point Island," was the abrupt answer. "Go there, an' you'll
find the _Peacock_ and her crew, sure."




CHAPTER XVI.

OFF FOR NEEDLE POINT ISLAND.


"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 the _Peacock_ has 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 Jock
Pelly's face relaxed. A few minutes later the elder Rover had joined
Luke 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 the _Rocket_ a 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."

The _Rocket_ was 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 the
_Peacock_, 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 the _Rocket_ was 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. The _Rocket_ was 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 the _Peacock_.

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 the _Peacock_!" ejaculated Dick, and rushed to the
deck to learn the truth.




CHAPTER XVII.

A CAVE AND A SNAKE.


"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
the _Peacock_. 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.

The _Peacock_ was 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?"

"The _Peacock_ must 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 Arnold
Baxter. "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 the _Peacock_, 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 the _Peacock_, 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 the _Peacock_ led 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 the _Peacock_, 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.