Edward Stratemeyer

“ Baxter carried pistols. Mumps kept out of sight as much as
possible, while Bill Goss attended to the steering of the boat.
Dora and Mrs. Goss were below.
"Well, what have you got to say?" demanded Dick, as soon as the others were within easy talking distance.
"How many on board of that yacht?" demanded Arnold Baxter, as he looked at the police officers glumly.
"Enough," replied Dick. "Is that all you've got to say?"
"Don't grow impudent, boy. It won't set well."
"A person couldn't be impudent to such a rascal as you, Arnold
Baxter."
"Have a care, Dick Rover. What do you propose to do?" ”

“ Crabtree, we won't talk any more," put in Dick, with a warning glance at Sam. He turned to the waiter. "Some fish, please, trout; and see that the biscuits are warm."
"Yes, sah," grinned the negro.
Tom at once took the cue. "It's going to be a warm day," he said to Dick.
"I wonder how sailing was last night," put in Sam slyly.
At this Josiah Crabtree looked as black as a thundercloud.
"You boys have been playing the sneak on me!" he cried. "Take my advice and beware of what you do in the future."
"I wasn't talking to you," retorted Sam. "Kindly keep your remarks to yourself." ”

“ If it comes to the worst, remember, we can do a heap of fighting."
"We can fight too," was the grim response.
"Dora! Dora! Are you safe?" shouted Sam, with all the strength of his youthful lungs.
"Save me!" came back the cry. "Don't let them carry me further away."
"We'll do our best, don't fear."
Dora wanted to say more, but was prevented from doing so by
Mumps, who again hurried her below.
"You must lock her up," he said to Mrs. Goss, and once more the unhappy girl found herself a prisoner in the cabin. ”

“ Then, of a sudden, the fog came rolling over them like a huge cloud, and they were unable to see a dozen yards in any direction.
"This is the worst yet!" groaned Sam. "What's to do now?"
"Yes, what's to do now?" repeated Sergeant Brown. "Can you make the coast, skipper?"
"To be sure I can," replied Harris, as he looked at the compass. "But I don't know about landing. You see we might stick our nose into a sandbank before we knowed it."
"Perhaps the fog will lift?" suggested Carter.
"A fog like this isn't lifting in a hurry," said Dick. ”

“ The shock sent the Searchlight backward, and when the youth came down he found himself sprawling on the Flyaway's deck, close beside Dan Baxter.
"Dick Rover!" gasped the former bully of Putnam Hall. "So it is your boat that has run into us?"
"Baxter, where is Dora Stanhope?" panted Dick, as soon as he could speak. He was afraid that one or both yachts were going down and that Dora might be drowned. Even in this extreme moment of peril his one thought was for his girl friend.
"Find out for yourself," burst out Baxter, and aimed a blow at Dick's head with his fist. ”

“ Dora was taken off on a boat beyond a doubt.'
"If she was it won't take very long to find her," returned Dick.
"Let us go to Cedarville and see if anybody has seen the Falcon."
Dick had scarcely spoken when a small steam tug hove into sight, bound up the lake.
"There's a tug now!" exclaimed Tom. "Hi there! Hi!" he yelled.
"Stop!"
The captain of the tug heard him and saw him waving his hand, and, slowing up, made a half circle toward shore.
"What's wanted, young man?" he asked. "Anything wrong?"
"Yes, a good deal is wrong," replied Tom. "Have you seen a yacht named the Falcon today?" ”

“ On and on went the two yachts until Sandy Hook lighthouse was left in the distance. Once it began to cloud over as if there was a storm in sight, but soon the rising sun came out brightly over the rim of the ocean.
When it came mealtime Sam prepared the repast, and all, even the officers of the law enjoyed what was served to them. "It gives one an appetite, this salt air," was Sergeant Brown's comment.
Soon they were standing down the New Jersey coast, but so far out on the ocean that the shore line was little more than a dark streak on the horizon.
"Are we gaining?" ”

“ Another shot now rang out, aimed at a third lantern, but the light was not struck. By this time Martin Harris made the discovery that the mainsail was on fire in two places, while the jib was also suffering.
"This is getting hot!" he cried, when Carter opened up fire at random, determined to do what he could. A yell and a groan followed, and then all became quiet, and firing on both sides was over.
Fortunately for Sam, the flames upon his person were quickly extinguished, and all the lad really suffered was the ruin of his trousers and an ugly blister on the calf of his leg. ”

“ Dick's blood was up, and he did not release his hold or relinquish his efforts until the bully had been pushed along the road for a distance of fifty yards.
"Now you dare to come back!" said Dick, shaking his fist at the fellow. "If you come, I'll have you locked up."
"We'll see about it, Dick Rover," snarled Dan Baxter. He paused for an instant. "He laughs best who laughs last," he muttered, and strode off as fast as his long legs would carry him, in the direction of the lake.
When Dick returned to Dora he found that the girl had sunk down on the piazza steps nearly overcome. ”

“ Putnam Hall. "Why didn't you come yesterday?"
"It was impossible to do so, my lad. Is that the Falcon down there?"
"It is."
"Who is in charge of her?"
"A sailor named Bill Goss."
"Is he a—ahem—a man to be trusted?"
"I guess I can trust him," snickered Mumps. "If he dared to give me away, I could send him to jail."
"You mean that you—er—have him—ahem—in your power?"
"That's it, Mr. Crabtree."
"Very good. And is be, a good sailor?"
"As good as any on the river."
"Then he can sail the yacht down the river without mishap?" ”

“ Want me to take you ashore?"
"Yes," put in Dick, "if you will be kind enough to do it."
"Certainly; always willing to aid anybody in distress. That other craft run you down in short order, didn't she?"
"Did you see it?" burst out Sam eagerly.
"To be sure I did."
"Then you know it was her fault."
"I do. She had no right to follow you up as she did."
"I'm glad you saw the mix-up, Mr..."
"Martin Harris is my name. I'm an old boatman around here—keep boats to hire, and the like. And who is this I'm to take ashore?"
"My name is Sam Rover. These are my two brothers, Dick and Tom." ”

“ Thus mile after mile was covered, until Sandy Hook lighthouse could be plainly seen but a short distance away.
"We are out in the ocean now," remarked Dick an hour later. "Gracious, when I left Cedarville I didn't think that this was going to develop into such a long chase!"
"Never mind how far we go, if only the chase proves a success," answered Tom. "If we succeed in not only rescuing Dora, but also in bringing those thieves to justice, it will be a big feather in our caps."
"I'm glad the police are along," came from Sam. ”

“ At one point there was a wide ditch to cross, and Tom had his hands full getting Dick over.
Martin Harris was watching for them, and had all ready to cast off should this be required.
"I'm mighty glad you found the police," he said to Dick, who now felt able to do for himself once more. "Will they go with us?"
"You are certain those folks on the other boat are thieves?" demanded Sergeant Brown. "Carter and I don't want to go off on any wild goose chase."
"They are not only thieves, but abductors," said Dick. "We can easily prove it. They must be caught if it is possible to do so." ”

“ It was the first day of the term, but as the cadets kept on arriving with every train and boat, no lessons were given out, and the boys were allowed to do pretty much as they pleased. They visited every nook and corner, including the classrooms, the dormitories, the stables, and the gymnasium and boathouse, and nearly bothered the life out of Peleg Snuggers, Mrs. Green, the housekeeper, and Alexander Pop, the colored waiter of the mess hall.
"Hullo, Aleck!" cried Tom rushing up and grabbing the colored man by the hand. "How are you—pretty well? I'm first-rate, never was better in my life!" ”

“ CHAPTER XXVI A FLAG OF TRUCE Sunrise found the two yachts far out on the ocean with land nowhere in sight. The breeze was still stiff, but it was not as heavy as it had been, and Martin Harris was unable to decrease the space which separated his own craft from that of the enemy.
"You see, the Searchlight is the better boat in a strong blow," he explained. "When the wind is light the Flyaway has as good a chance of making headway as we have."
"Well, one thing is certain," said Tom. "This chase can't last forever." ”

“ CHAPTER X TOM, SAM, AND FARMER FOX For an instant there was a dead silence in the bankers' offices.
Charles Rush looked blankly at his bookkeeper.
"I believe Fredericks is right," said Mr. Wilder, the first to break the awkward pause. "I remember the fellow very well. I thought at the time that he was watching Mr. Rush rather closely."
"You had no business to bring in a man that was not to be trusted," growled Charles Rush, turning to the janitor.
"Do you think he stole the stuff?" ejaculated Subrug. "Sure
Mooney wasn't smart enough for such a game." ”

“ The best part of an hour passed, but of course nothing was seen or heard of Dick.
"I shan't wait any longer," began Tom, when they saw the front door of the tenement opened and two men hurried forth. Both had their hats pulled far down over their eyes and had their coat collars turned up, even though the night was warm.
"Out of sight!" cried Sam in a low voice, and they dropped down behind the stoop of the second tenement.
"One of those men was Buddy Girk!" ejaculated Tom, when the pair had passed up the alleyway. ”

“ Of course Peleg Snuggers came in for his full share of attention, and the utility man had all sorts of jokes played on him until he was almost in despair.
"Don't, young gents, don't!" he would plead. "Oh, my! An' to think the term's just begun!" And he mopped his brow with his red bandanna handkerchief.
"Peleg, you are getting handsomer every day," remarked Sam.
"It's a wonder you don't go into the beauty show in New York."
"Wot kind of a joke is that, Master Rover?"
"Oh, it's no joke. You are handsome. Won't you let me take your photograph?" ”

“ But don't try to step on our toes—or you'll get the worst of it."
"So you're going to play the part of a bully?"
"No; I'm only giving you fair warning. If you let us alone we'll let you alone."
"You have been watching the movements of the Falcon since day before yesterday," went on Mumps, slowly and distinctly, as though he expected his words to have a great effect.
"Watching your boat—" began Dick and Tom simultaneously.
"Yes, watching my boat—and I don't like it," answered Fenwick, and his face grew dark.
"Why should we watch your boat?" demanded Sam. ”

“ No one could answer this question. "Josiah Crabtree is a queer stick and can do lots of queer things," was what Dick said.
The train left at half past two in the morning, and they had not long to wait. Once on board, they proceeded to make themselves as comfortable as possible, each having a whole seat to himself, and Sam and Tom went to sleep without much trouble. But Dick was wide awake, wondering what would be the next move on reaching Albany.
"Poor Dora!" he murmured. "Oh, but that crowd shall be punished for this! If she comes to harm it will almost kill Mrs. Stanhope." ”

“ You've been watching her, and that's enough."
"And why should we put ourselves out to that extent—when we are merely out for pleasure," said Dick. "There is no fun in watching a fellow like you, I'm sure."
"John is right; ye have been a-watchin' this boat," growled the old sailor named Bill Goss, who, it may be as well to state here, was thoroughly under his younger master's thumb for reasons best known to himself. ”

“ The return of the boys to Putnam Hall was the signal for a regular jollification, and my readers can rest assured that all of the cadets made the most of it. Captain Putnam ordered an extra dinner for them, and in the evening a huge bonfire was started on the campus, and, as the boys gathered around Dick, Tom, and Sam they sang "For he's a jolly good fellow!" until they were hoarse. It was a celebration never to be forgotten. "Just the right sort for a home coming," as Sam expressed it.
"Let them have it," said the master, as he looked on. "They deserve it." ”

“ It was Dan Baxter who was shouting at them. The former bully of Putnam Hall stood at the stern rail of the Flyaway and was using his hands like a trumpet.
"You had better give up the race, Baxter!" called Dick in return.
"You can't get away from us, no matter how hard you try."
"Keep off," repeated Baxter. "We won't stand any nonsense."
"We are not here for nonsense," put in Tom. "What have you done with Dora Stanhope?"
"Don't know anything about Dora Stanhope," came back from Mumps. ”

“ Suddenly Martin Harris gave a murmur of satisfaction. "There she is."
"The Flyaway!" came from several of the others.
"Yes. Just as I thought; she is heading down the Staten Island shore straight for Sandy Hook."
"They are bound for Searock!" cried Dick suddenly. "Mr. Baxter mentioned the place just before they discovered that I was spying on them."
"That's a good way down the New Jersey coast," said Sergeant
Brown. "Can this boat stand such a sail?"
"Can she?" snorted Harris. "She's strong enough to go to Europe if you want to make the trip." ”

“ CHAPTER XX A LONG CHASE BEGUN As they journeyed down the Hudson the boys and Martin Harris scanned the river eagerly for some sign of the Flyaway.
"It's ten to one she put down a pretty good distance," remarked Dick. "They wouldn't bring Dora over here unless they were bound for New York or some other place as far or further."
"I believe you," said Tom. "But she may be delayed, and if what Harris says is true the Searchlight ought to make better time than Baxter's craft." ”

“ He had turned off the light proper, consequently the way to the companionway was rather dark.
He had almost reached the top of the steps when Sam heard a scream, saw a flash of fire, and then Dick came tumbling to the cabin floor in a heap, with the battery and light beside him.
"My gracious, he's been shocked!" burst out the youngest Rover; and, forgetting all about his burn, ran to his brother's assistance.
"What's that noise?" came from the deck.
"Dick's been shocked by the searchlight!" cried Sam. "Come down here, somebody, and let us see what we can do for him." ”

“ As she turned on the boy, Carter ran in, and in a twinkle she was held and her hands were bound behind her. Then the crowd turned to Mumps.
"I submit," said the misguided boy. "Didn't I tell you in the note that I would help you?"
"Yes, he has tried to do better," put in Dora.
"If it hadn't been for him I wouldn't have had a mouthful to eat today."
"I guess we can trust him, then," said Dick. "But, Mumps, take care that you don't go back on us."
"I won't go back on you," said the toady. "I'm going to cut that crowd after this."
"You can't make a better move," was Dick's comment. ”