"So it seems."

He stepped over, seated himself and grasped the steering wheel.

"Nothing is wrong here----"

"Hark!" whispered Chester.

The two listened and heard the m.u.f.fled exhaust of a launch not far off.

"It comes from down stream," said Chester.

"It's their boat!" exclaimed the excited Alvin. "They are hurrying off."

"Let's chase them!" added Chester, catching the glow of his chum.

"All right! Light up and cast off."

[Ill.u.s.tration: LIKE A SWALLOW SKIMMING CLOSE TO THE SURFACE.]

Chester quickly fixed the lights, sprang from the taffrail to sh.o.r.e, untied the loop of rope, flung it on deck and leaped after it. Alvin had opened the forward deck, which covered the engine, climbed down and around to the front and started it. Then throwing in the clutch the boat quickly caught the impulse, and the Captain steered away from sh.o.r.e.

While lying against the bank the nose of the launch was pointed up the river, and since the noise showed that the other boat was speeding down stream, it was necessary to head in that direction. The sweeping circle carried the craft far out into the moon glow and the Captain turned on full power, sending the boat southward like a swallow skimming close to the surface.

"They got the idea yesterday that the _Water Witch_ is faster than the _Deerfoot_. That was a cute idea of Calvert, but they will soon learn their mistake. Do you see anything of her lights?"

Chester stood beside him in the c.o.c.kpit, with one hand grasping the top of the wind-shield, while he peered into the sea of illumination through which they were plunging.

"Not yet," he answered "but we must be gaining fast."

The water curled over in a graceful half circle as it was split apart by the sharp prow. Some of the spray was scattered over him, though otherwise the river was as calm as a millpond. The tide was at its turn, so there was no current. Alvin held to the middle of the river, where he knew it was very deep, and he would have timely notice of every obstruction that could appear.

Now that the two were fairly started upon the singular chase, they had time to speculate as to its probable result. They had not a firearm on the boat nor had they ever had one aboard. They were chasing a party of criminals who were sure to be well armed. Suppose our young friends overtook them, what could they do?

Alvin had a dim idea that having drawn near enough to discover the _Water Witch_, he would keep in sight until others could intervene. His boat would follow whereever the fugitive dare lead, and would never give up.

If our young friends could not attack, they could point out the way for others. Should the criminals run into sh.o.r.e, where there was a chance of landing without being observed, the pursuers could be at their heels, and through the nearest telegraph station raise the hue and cry that would quickly end in their overthrow.

"It is strange," reflected Alvin, "that while we have not meant to have anything to do with those scamps we are continually running into them, while Detective Calvert, who is in this part of the world for that purpose, can't put his hand on them. If he and his friend, whom we saw at Wisca.s.set, and who is an officer of the law also, were here, we should be sure of doing the right thing. As it is, it's all guesswork."

"Light ahead!" suddenly called Chester beside him.

"Where away?"

"Right ahead, but closer in sh.o.r.e on the left."

Alvin leaned forward and gazed intently.

"You are right," he added as he saw a white light low down on the water.

"Now we'll show those fellows what the _Deerfoot_ can do when she tries."

He flirted over the little lever controlling the power, and instantly the engine responded so fiercely that the launch shivered from stem to stern.

It bounded forward like a hound freed from the leash, the bow rising from the impulse, as if it would leap clear of the water, and seemingly shooting over it, like an iceboat driven in a hurricane.

But the launch in front was no laggard. Whether she increased her speed at sight of the light which was seemingly hustling down the river after her, or whether she simply held her former rate, she was going at a tremendous pace. Soon leaving Long Ledge on their right, the pursuer shot into the broader waters of Montsweag Bay, only to find the white light seemingly as far off as ever. Possibly the pursuers had gained something, but not enough to be perceptible.

"They have seen us," said Chester, from his station at the front, "and are putting in their best licks. We must be going the limit."

"That is twenty-four miles, but we're not making it, Chester."

The second mate pulled down his cap more snugly, for the motionless air was turned into a gale, and looked back.

"What do you mean? The _Deerfoot_ is eating up water."

"That may be, but she isn't getting there as she ought to," insisted Alvin, who, of course, was more familiar with his boat. "Something is the matter with her. She seems to be doing her best, and yet she lags."

"Do you think it because of her trouble yesterday?"

"It must be, but I was sure she was shipshape when we left her last night. See whether we are gaining."

Chester spent several minutes in studying the position and progress of that white light, which was gliding with swift smoothness over the water, and hugging the bank all the while. When he spoke it was doubtfully.

"Perhaps we have gained a little, say about six inches."

Alvin groped about him for the binoculars, which he had left on the seat at his side. By turning the gla.s.s over when in use, one could avail himself of the night lens, which was helpful in the gloom. But he did not find it.

"That's queer," he muttered; "I am sure I laid it there. I wonder if anyone visited the boat while we were away."

"By gracious!" called Chester from his station; "I believe she has stopped!"

"Make sure of it. I should think they would put out their stern light if they wanted to elude us."

"Likely they don't care. Yes; she has run into sh.o.r.e, where there seems to be some sort of landing."

Alvin swung over the wheel so as to approach directly from the rear.

Since the other boat had become motionless, he slackened speed to save the strain upon his own.

Everything was now in the vivid moonlight. The launch drew steadily up to the landing where the other boat had halted. Two men were observed moving about as if making ready to tie up for the remainder of the night. They showed no interest in their pursuers, and Alvin sheered off slightly so as to pa.s.s at a distance of several rods, and while doing so he made an exasperating discovery.

The craft which he had been pursuing with so much zest was not the _Water Witch_, but a small runabout capable of high speed. The couple on board gave no attention to the larger craft, and the chagrined Alvin turned farther out into the bay and gradually headed up stream again. Chester came back from the front and chuckled:

"What a wild goose chase! The next thing to do is to make after the _Nahanada_ or the _Gardiner_. There will be as much sense in the one as the other."

Observing the change of course, Chester inquired:

"Where to now?"

"We may as well go back and pick up Mike. It seems to be growing light in the east."

"So it is; a memorable night in our experience is drawing to a close."