“ He dreaded, every instant, to feel the bump and the jar that should tell the news that the “Meteor” had struck.
“What do you want? Speed ahead?” bawled up Joe.
“As quickly as you can possibly give it,” Tom answered.
Still Halstead stared astern. It seemed as though the reef were rising to meet the hull of the boat.
Throb! Chug! The motor was working, slowly. With an inward gasp of thanksgiving Halstead swung the bow around a bit to port. The engine, weaker than the gale, must drag the anchor at least a short distance. Any attempt to raise it too soon might hold the boat to the danger line. ”

“ The “Meteor” was speedily on her way. First Joe, and then Tom, was served in the little galley, Jed getting in his mouthfuls as best he could before the motor boat was tied up at Wood’s Hole.
Before Tom had time to land a keen-eyed, smooth-faced man of thirty-five, broad-shouldered and a little above medium height, stepped forward out of the darkness and over the rail.
“Do you know me, Captain Halstead?” he asked, in a low voice.
“Yes, I think so,” Tom answered. “You’re Mr. Musgrave, one of the detectives sent down from New York at Mr. Dunstan’s request.” ”

“ The accommodation train from Boston, rolling slowly along late in this July afternoon, had just left Falmouth for its run of a few miles to Wood’s Hole, the last stop, as this would be the end of the mainland route. Across the meadows the hot breath of July came through the open car windows. The brightness of the sunshine inclined one to close his eyes, so that Joe Dawson’s slumber seemed the most natural thing in the world. Indeed, Tom Halstead’s eyes were narrowing ”

“ Just at that moment some one else must have reached Don Emilio Alvarez and must have reported, for the Honduran’s voice screamed:
“What do you say? The youngster’s gone from the attic? Listen, men! Let nothing stand in your way, now. We must have that boy back. We’ll watch the road and drag the woods. Waste no sympathy on any meddler you find!”
It was at once made plain to the motor boat boys that Don Emilio and his comrades were now frantic. Everywhere could be heard the steps, or the low voices of the searchers. Tom and Joe dreaded capture at each instant. ”

“ Behind the young motor boat skipper stood Don Emilio Alvarez, waving a taunting hand at the officers. Jonas French had gone forward to take command of the tug.
The seamen, powerful, swarthy fellows who looked like Portuguese, held Tom at the rail until the tug was half a mile from shore.
“Now, you can let go of him, my men,” nodded Alvarez, “but watch the young man.”
“Mr. Captain, how would you like to stroll aft and look at a nice surprise we may serve out to your friends?” The Honduran’s tone was mocking, bantering, but Tom Halstead, filled with curiosity, accepted the invitation. ”

“ This was a course that would keep them easily in sight of the Dunstan flagpole.
“You must look upon us as splendid nuisances?” suggested Elsie.
“Yes, to that, if you’ll leave out the word ‘nuisances,’” smiled Captain Tom gallantly.
“But to be asked to take the boat out, after all your hard and daring work last night,” added Jessie.
“Hard work comes naturally in a life on the sea,” Tom replied. “And we had our sleep, after the night’s work.”
“But what fearful danger you went through. Mr. Dunstan was telling us all about it, as he heard it from his man over at Wood’s Hole,” said Elsie. ”

“ From davits at the starboard side swung a natty-looking small boat.
“Gr-r-r-r!” came a warning sound from the closed forecastle as the trio stepped aboard.
“In the absence of crew I’ve kept my bull pup down in the engine room,” explained Mr. Dunstan.
“A mighty good idea,” muttered Tom with a swift recollection of the fragments of conversation he and Joe had overheard on the train.
“Stand back a moment, until I let him out and present you to him,” requested the owner. “Don’t be afraid of him. Bouncer is a very intelligent dog. Hell understand an introduction as quickly as a human being would.” ”

“ Another and heavier squall struck them, again heeling the motor boat over. She righted herself, but the gale was becoming stronger, and, despite the remaining anchor, the “Meteor” now began to drift toward the lee shore of Muskeget.
Miss Elsie, deathly white, and clutching desperately at the lifelines, began to sob.
“It’s fearful, I know,” spoke Captain Tom, quietly. “But we’ve got to face it and hope for the best. You were admiring courage a while ago, but now you can show as much as any man could.” ”

“ It was an automobile going by at high speed. It passed and was gone, almost at once, but the sound gave Tom a good idea how close they lay to the road. Yet it was surely a lonely road, little traveled, for time went dragging by without any other sound of travel.
“I’d feel starving if I weren’t so fearfully anxious,” thought Tom. “Joe is lucky that he can sleep. He’ll forget how awfully hungry he is. As for poor Ted, his mixture of feelings must be something wonderful!”
In time, Halstead found himself fighting drowsiness. ”

“ But Tom Halstead, both firm and cool, now that his mind was made up, took a grip on the fellow’s left arm.
“Take your hand off! Let me go!” screamed the fellow, his eyes ablaze with passion. “Out of my way, idiot, and take yourself off!”
As the swarthy one struggled to free himself Tom only tightened his grip, much as the bull pup would have done.
“Don’t be disagreeable,” urged Tom. “Come, my request is a very proper one. I’m only asking you to go before one of the officers of the law. No honest man can really object to that.” ”

“ Now slipping off the noose, Tom loosely coiled the rope about one arm. Lifting Ted Dunstan, Captain Halstead fled straight across the rear yard and in among the trees.
“There, I hope we’ve got you away from that crowd,” panted Tom, putting his unwilling companion down. “But we’ve got to hustle, so you’ll have to use your own feet a bit. Woe unto you, though, if you try any tricks on the stranger who happens to be your best friend at this moment!”
Hiding the rope in a thicket near by; Halstead quickly slashed away the cord at Ted Dunstan’s ankles. ”

“ Halstead laughed heartily.
“I guess that’s the way with the whole human race, Jed. The man who lugs off the reputation for being brave is the man who won’t run, because he is ashamed to let anyone see how mortally afraid he is.”
“But what do you make of Ted Dunstan’s queer talk?” asked Jed Prentiss. “Do you believe his father really did give him orders to go off with that crowd?”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Halstead answered. “Mr. Dunstan is our employer.”
“But young Ted always has been a mighty truthful boy,” pursued Jed, wonderingly. “Oh, it’s all mighty queer, whatever’s the truth.” ”

“ Tom now held him helpless, kneeling on him.
“What were you trying to fish out of that jacket pocket?” demanded the young motor boat captain, thrusting his own hand in. He drew out something and held it up briefly—a clasp knife.
“A coward’s tool!” uttered Tom, his voice ringing scornfully. Then he threw the clasp knife far out so that it splashed in the water. “Why don’t you cultivate a man’s muscle and fight like a man, instead of toting around things like that? Come, get up on your feet.”
Bounding up, Halstead yanked the other upright. ”

“ Tom and his chum strolled about. They found it a delightful country place, covering some forty acres. There was a large stable, a carriage house and a garage which contained a big touring car. There were greenhouses, a poultry place and a small power house that supplied electric light to the buildings and grounds.
“It looks like the place of a man who has enough money, but who doesn’t care about making a big splurge,” commented Joe.
“It also looks like the place of an easy-going man,” replied Halstead. “I wonder how a man like Mr. Dunstan came to get the motor-boat craze?” ”

“ It was among such boys that broker George Prescott had conceived the idea of finding material for making young experts to serve the owners of motor cruisers and racers along the New England coast.
Tom and Joe were undoubtedly the pick of the club for skill and experience. More than that, they were such fast friends that they could work together without the least danger of friction. Though Halstead was looked upon as the captain, he never attempted to lord it over his chum; they worked together as equals in everything. ”

“ A good deal cowed by the fierce glint in Tom’s eyes, Ted almost passively obeyed, though the young skipper was obliged to roll the young man himself.
“Keep those feet quiet now,” whispered Tom in the little fellow’s ear. “We’ve got to the point where nonsense won’t be safe for you. Now open your mouth!”
Ted firmly pressed his lips together, gritting his teeth. Yet Tom knew a trick of wrestling that forced the young man to open his mouth. Plump into that mouth went one of Halstead’s wadded handkerchiefs, stopping the youngster’s tongue down and holding his jaws apart. ”

“ Dunstan and his wife down at the pier, watching us,” announced Miss Jessie, as they came within eye-range of the Dunstan place. “They must have been dreadfully worried about us.”
“Now, I know what danger is, and just what courage and steadfastness men may show,” remarked Miss Elsie, as they passed south of a little headland that formed one of the shelters of the Dunstan cove.
“And you know how much grit women may show,” rejoined Halstead, “for not once did you give us any trouble.”
“Perhaps we were too badly frightened to make trouble,” laughed Jessie Lester. ”

“ Oh, she’s a dandy!” cried Tom in a burst of enthusiasm.
“Say, look at the beauty of her lines! What speed she ought to be good for, with a strong, well-behaving engine!” came from quiet Joe.
Horace Dunstan smiled with pardonable pride as he led the way down the pier. As far as first impressions went the boat was worthy of extended praise. Though only five feet longer than the “Sunbeam,” she had the look of being a much larger craft. There was more forecastle. The space of the bridge deck seemed better arranged. There was an awning over the bridge deck and another over the cockpit aft. ”

“ They got Ted out of sight under the ground, at last, then more speedily concealed themselves.
“Fine, Joe, fine!” cheered Halstead, in a chuckling whisper. “Our chances of not being found have improved a hundred times!”
“If only Alvarez and his infernal crew will get away from this spot,” Joe whispered, in answer. “But the day that is beginning is absolutely the last day to save Ted’s fortune to him. If we trip up to-day there isn’t a chance of any kind left. He’ll simply lose!” ”

“ Out from behind a tree shot a human figure. Its owner sprang at Tom Halstead, locking him in a sturdy embrace. Down to the ground went Halstead and his assailant, rolling over and over in fierce, battling embrace.
Ted Dunstan lost not an instant in seeing and seizing his opportunity. His feet, at least, free and able, that youngster whirled and dashed back toward the farmhouse. ”

“ Mr. Musgrave nodded. Horace Dunstan bowed his stricken head lower.
“I understand the force of what you say, Mr. Crane,” Tom nodded.
“Hush! Here comes Judge Swan now,” whispered the lawyer. “What can he be doing here?”
A portly, white-haired man, yet with a fresh, young-looking face, had just stepped onto the pier and came toward them. He was judge of the probate court over at Nantucket. ”

“ If you could make them understand, captain, they could send the launch out to us.”
“The launch is too small a craft to face the blow that’s coming,” Tom rejoined gravely. “Besides, Mr. Dunstan has no one who knows anything about handling a marine steam engine. If you ladies will go into the cabin——”
“And feel like rats in a trap while there’s danger!” remonstrated Mrs. Lester. “Oh, please don’t ask us to leave the deck. We’ll feel safer here. At least we shall be able to see what’s happening.”
“Get the lifelines, Joe, and rig them quickly,” spoke Tom gravely. ”

“ The time isn’t far away when you’ll know that we’ve all been doing our best, in the face of many dangers, to serve a boy who was foolish enough not to want to be served.”
Captain Tom had raised young Dunstan’s head and had looked into the latter’s eyes while telling him this. But Master Ted glared back only a message of distrust and defiance.
“I’ve got you now where you can’t stand in the way of your own good luck, if only I can once get you away from this house,” Tom went on in a whisper, his mouth close to one of the youngster’s ears. “You can’t hinder, anyway.” ”

“ Jed, you the younger one. If we have to get into the water with women’s lives to save, remember the glory of American seamen!”
“I’ll get ashore double, or not at all,” Joe promised, and he knew very well how little likelihood there was of reaching safety on land.
“I’ll prove I’m one of you,” promised Jed, though his face was ashen. Tom grabbed his hand long enough to give it a mighty squeeze. Then the young skipper moved to the starboard rail where he could watch best. His calculations had proved correct. The “Meteor,” drifting helplessly, was bound to strike on the reef. ”

“ A yell came from the man at the helm.
But Jed did not waste time looking or listening. He fitted another rocket, touching it off after swift aim. That one whizzed between the heads of two of the three men out forward, and Jed heard their rough words of alarm and anger.
“Wow!” ejaculated the boy. “I’m a whole Navy! What?”
Another rocket he aimed at the three men. They scrambled in all directions. Still another rocket Prentiss drove through the pilot house windows. Jed heard the engine room bell jingle for the stop. ”

“ As Captain Jonas French hauled in his mainsheet and the sloop’s sail filled, Pedro made obliquely for shore. Having no need of speed, he made less demand on the engine than he had been doing.
Some time later Pedro ran halfway into a little cove that dented the mainland of Massachusetts. Stopping the speed he stepped forward and cast over an anchor, reeling in the slack and making fast. This done, the darky drew out an old pipe, filled it and lighted it, settling back for a lazy smoke.
And Tom Halstead? He was doing his best not to pant and betray himself, but his had been a rough experience. ”

“ I think the ‘Meteor’ can overtake you and at least keep you in sight. For that matter, three boys can fight better than one!”
Tom didn’t linger up the tree to think all that. Ere he had finished speaking to himself he was down on the ground, making speedily for where he judged the road to be. As he came in sight of the road he heard another chug! chug! that made his heart bound with delighted hope.
“Hi, there! Stop there, please!” shouted the young motor boat captain, waving his arms as he sighted a touring car headed toward the village. ”

“ Tom had read in the newspapers, more than once, that filibusters sending military supplies to Central American republics label their cases of goods “machinery” in order to get past vigilant eyes unsuspected. Gregory Dunstan was known to be interested in revolutionary movements, and Farmer Sanderson might be suspected of helping Alvarez and other filibusters by having arms and ammunition shipped to him as machinery, and afterwards slipped out of the country from the end of the farmer’s pier on some dark, stormy night. ”