A tinge of color was now showing in the east. Birds were astir in the moving currents of the air, and lights flashed dimly forth from the distant houses of St. Luce. Against the ruddy glow of the sky, a river steamer lifted its column of smoke. Observing the approach of the vessel, the outlaws redoubled their efforts to frighten the boys into instant submission.

However, the _Rambler_ was gaining speed, and the incident would have been closed in a moment if the connection made between the batteries and the motors had not become disarranged. In the haste of making the repairs, the work had not been properly done.

The propeller ceased its revolutions and the boat dropped back toward the cove. Evidently guessing what had taken place on board, the outlaws gathered at the point where it seemed certain that she would become beached.

Understanding what would take place if the motor boat dropped back, the boys fired volley after volley in order to attract the attention of those on the steamer. There came a jangling of bells from the advancing craft, and she slowed down and headed for the point. The outlaws fired a parting volley and disappeared among the rocks.

The steamer continued on her course toward the little island, but paused a few yards away and the boys saw a rowboat dropped to the river. The _Rambler_ continued to drift toward the beach she had so recently left and the rowboat headed for that point.

Fearful that the boat would again come within reach of the outlaws, Clay and Case now rushed to the prow, and threw the supply anchor over just in time to prevent a collision between a nest of rocks and the stern of the boat.

The outlaws were now out of sight, and the boys felt secure in the protection of the steamer, but directly the situation was changed, for a show of arms was seen on board the rowboat, and the boys were suddenly ordered to throw up their hands.

"You fellows are nicely rigged out--fine motor boat, and all that,"

one of the men in the boat shouted, "but the days of river pirates on the St. Lawrence are over. You are all under arrest."

"Gee whiz!" shouted Alex. "Is this what you call a pinch?"

"It is what we call a clean-up," replied one of the men in the boat, rowing up to the _Rambler_. "We've been watching for you fellows, and now we've got you."

"And what are you going to do with us?" asked Clay restraining his anger and indignation with difficulty.

"We're going to take you up to Quebec and put you on trial for piracy!"

"That'll be fine!" Jule commented.

The boys tried to smile and make light of the situation as the four men from the steamer boarded the _Rambler_, but they all understood that it was a very serious proposition that they were facing.

CHAPTER IV

CONCERNING A LOST CHANNEL

The men from the steamer took possession of the _Rambler_ impudently, acting like ignorant men clothed with small authority. The boys were ordered to the cabin and the door locked.

"We left our manacles on board the Sybil," one of the men announced, "or we'd rig you out with some of the King's jewelry."

"We'll overlook the slight for the present," Case flared back, "but you be sure and bring the jewels at the first opportunity."

"You'll get them quick enough," snarled one of the men. "Three days ago we received notice that you were coming, and we've been watching for you ever since. You came along just in time to be nicely trapped."

"Do you mean that you were watching for the _Rambler_?" asked Clay, lifting his voice in order that he might be heard through the gla.s.s panel of the door. "I'd like to have you tell me about that."

"No one knew the shape you would come in," was the gruff reply. "We only knew that a band of pirates and wreckers who had been luring vessels on the rocks along the bay was preparing to visit the St.

Lawrence. Perhaps you will tell me where you stole this fine boat?"

"They must have a big foolish house in this province," Alex taunted, "if all the King's officers are as crazy in the cupola as you are."

"Let them alone," urged Clay. "No use in talking to men of their stripe. Wait until we get to the captain of the steamer."

The sailors continued to question the boys, resorting now and then to insulting epithets, but the lads sat dumbly in the cabin until the arrival of Captain Morgan, in charge of the steamer Sybil. To express it mildly, they were all very much elated at the appearance of Captain Morgan, who unlocked the cabin door, called them out on deck and greeted them pleasantly. They all wanted to shake hands with him.

"It seems," Clay said to the captain, as the latter motioned to the sailors to move up to the prow, "that your men have captured a band of bold, bad men. It was a daring thing for them to do!"

The captain laughed until his sides shook, and the men, gathered on the forward part of the deck, scowled fiercely, to which the captain paid no attention at all.

"Perhaps there is an excuse for the men," Captain Morgan finally said, suppressing his laughter. "We heard firing as we came up the river, and wreckers are known to be about."

"If you have any doubt as to the presence of wreckers," Clay explained, "just send your ruffians over on the island. The men who did most of the shooting are there. They may also be able to find the ashes of the signal fire the outlaws lighted."

"That will be good exercise for them," Jule cut in, "and perhaps they won't be so brave when they find they haven't boys to deal with."

"Do you mean to tell me that the wreckers are now on the island?"

asked the captain. "If they are, we may yet be able to make a capture."

"They were on the island just before you came up," Clay answered, "and I presume they are there yet. We'll help you take them."

The captain laughed and looked critically at the slender, well-dressed youngsters, then his eyes turned to the white bulldog and the bear, now sniffing suspiciously at his legs.

"It seems to me," he said, "that I have heard of this outfit before!

When I came aboard I thought I recognized the name of the _Rambler_.

This menagerie of yours settles the point. You brought Captain Joe, the dog, from Para, on the Amazon and Teddy, the cub, from British Columbia."

"You've got it," Alex cried, "but how did you come to know so much about us? We rather expected to get away from our damaged reputations up here," he added with a wink and a grin.

"You have long been famous in these parts," the captain answered, "Ever since the _Rambler_ came riding up to the Newfoundland coast on a flat car. It is a wonder that my men did not recognize you."

"I don't believe they can read," laughed Alex. "Suppose you send them over on the island to see if they can recognize some of the outlaws."

One of the sailors approached Captain Morgan, saluted, and pointed to the narrow channel between the island and the mainland. The sun was now shining brightly in the sky, and the whole landscape lay bright under its strong and rosy light. Half way across the channel, its rays glinted on splashing oars, and from the sh.o.r.e came hoa.r.s.e commands.

"There are men leaving the island, sir," the sailor said. "Perhaps we did get hold of the wrong fellows."

"I should think you did," laughed the captain, "but there may be time to correct the error. Signal to the steamer for more men, and drift down in your boats. You may be able to capture some of those outlaws, and," he added with a smile as the sailor turned away, "don't forget that there is a reward offered for every one of them."

"Perhaps we'd better go with the men," suggested Case. "We aren't anxious to get where there's shooting going on, but we need the money."

"I prefer," the captain replied, "that you come on board the Sybil with me. I'll have the cook get up a fine breakfast, and you boys can tell me all about your river trips. I have always been interested in such journeys and have long planned to take one myself."

The boys readily agreed to this arrangement, Alex declaring that it would save the washing of at least one mess of dishes, and all were soon seated in the captain's cosy room.

"I'll wait here an hour," Captain Morgan said, "to give my men a chance to gather in some of the rewards, but after that I must be on my way. We shall be late now, on account of this delay."

The boys briefly described their river trips on the Amazon, the Columbia, the Colorado and the Mississippi, and were rewarded with a breakfast which Alex admitted was almost as good as he could cook himself.

"And now," Clay said, as they all stood on the deck, watching the sailors returning empty-handed from their quest of the outlaws, "I wish you would tell me what all this rural free delivery business we've encountered means. We've been puzzling over it all night."