  For several minutes the boys ran up and down the shore vainly searching for the missing boat. They were convinced that some one had taken the skiff and probably was not far away, as it would be impossible for any one to go far during the short time that had elapsed since they had left the spot where Mr. Button had landed. At last the search was abandoned and when the boys returned they discovered Mr. Button awaiting their coming. “Listen, boys,” he said in a low voice. “Do you hear any sound?” The boys were silent, but in a brief time Fred said quickly, “Yes, sir, I think I hear a motor-boat.” “You are correct,” said Mr. Button. “There’s a boat coming this way. I have been sure of it for two or three minutes, but I have not been able to make out its outlines, as yet. Can either of you boys see it?” Neither Fred nor John was able to discern the outlines of the boat, which steadily sounded nearer. A few minutes only had passed before Fred gleefully announced his discovery of the approaching motor-boat. “I think it must be the Gadabout,” he said eagerly. “Probably George and Grant are on board and they are looking for us. Shall I hail them?” “No, no,” said Mr. Button quickly. “At least not yet. We had better wait here until we are sure who is on board.” Obediently the boys followed the instructions and waited until the motor-boat had come within twenty feet of the shore. There the power was shut off and the course slightly reversed, so that the Gadabout, for it was indeed the missing boat, came slowly about, broadside to the island. Although the boat was so near, it was impossible for John or Fred to see who was steering. They were aware that at least three were on board for they saw plainly the forms of the men as they let go the anchor and the boat became stationary. “I guess it’s George and Grant—” began Fred, at the same time preparing to advance near the water. He was sharply recalled, however, by Mr. Button, who once more urged the boys to remain behind the bushes where they had taken their stand until they had seen who made up the party on the Gadabout. Only a brief time elapsed before a man stepped on board a skiff and pushed out from the motor-boat to the shore. Without using his oars the boat soon ground on the beach and when the occupant stepped forth both of the watching boys were aware that it was the mate of the Gadabout. He pulled his skiff up on the shore, and then, scarcely glancing behind him, at once passed swiftly into the field and soon disappeared from sight. “He’s going up to the house,” said Fred in his excitement. “It looks like it,” said John. “Shall we follow him?” He had turned to Mr. Button as he spoke. “No,” said the man quickly. “The thing for us to do is to take this skiff and board the Gadabout.” “All right,” said John eagerly. “Hadn’t we better hail the other fellows before we do that though? We are not sure that Grant and George are on board.” “Yes, hail them,” said Mr. Button, “but don’t make much noise about it.” John stepped forth from behind the bushes and taking his stand on the shore called, “Ahoy there! George, is that you?” “Who’s that?” came the response from the motor-boat. “Fred and I are here,” responded John. “Who are ‘I’?” laughingly came from some one on board the Gadabout. “I guess you know who we are. That’s you, isn’t it, George?” “It’s Grant and I.” “That’s all I wanted to know,” responded John. “Wait a minute and we’ll be with you.” John and Fred quickly hauled the skiff into the water but before they had taken their seats Mr. Button approached and said, “Don’t leave me behind, boys.” “We aren’t going to stay very long,” suggested Fred. “That will be all right,” said Mr. Button, “but take me with you.” The boys delayed a moment while Mr. Button stepped on board and seated himself in the stern of the little skiff. A moment later the little boat was alongside the Gadabout and all three stepped on board, Fred still holding the painter in his hand. Before them sat George and Grant peering eagerly into their faces and plainly surprised by the unexpected action of their companions. “We must leave right away,” said Mr. Button. “What for?” demanded Fred. “I haven’t time to explain to you,” said Mr. Button, “but the only thing for us to do is to get away from this island, and the Gadabout is the best means for us to use.” “But the boat doesn’t belong to us,” protested John. “Doesn’t it?” laughed Mr. Button. “Didn’t you hire it for the day? Didn’t you pay the man to bring you out to Drummond Island and then carry you back to Mackinac?” “Yes, sir.” “Well, he hasn’t done all he agreed to, has he?” “No, sir, but—” “Then there’s no reason in the world why we shouldn’t start out. It must be between nine and ten o’clock at night. We have been cheated out of a good deal of our day by the captain and we have a right to take his boat and go on back to Mackinac if we want to.” The boys still hesitated to adopt the unusual suggestion and after a brief silence, John said, “I don’t believe any of us knows very much about running a motor-boat.” “That isn’t necessary,” said Mr. Button. “I know all about it.” Meanwhile, although he continued his conversation with the boys, Mr. Button had hauled in the anchor and then made fast the skiff to the stern. Without waiting for any further words he at once advanced to the wheel and as soon as the power was turned on the speedy, little craft began to draw away from the dim shores of Cockburn Island. They had not gone far, however, before they heard a loud hail from the shore. “Hi, there!” called some one. “What are you doing with that motor-boat? Come back here! Come back here with it!” A low suggestion from Mr. Button caused all the boys to remain silent. Again the hail came from the shore, louder than before and in tones of one who evidently was angry or alarmed. “Come back with that boat! You’ll run her aground! I’ll have you arrested for piracy! Bring that boat back here!” All four boys were decidedly uneasy over the situation in which they now found themselves. They had recognized the voice of the mate as the one which had ordered them to return with the boat. They were aware also that the charge he had made, that they were stealing or running away with a chartered boat, might become a serious matter for all concerned. Almost as if he was aware of the thoughts in the minds of his companions, Mr. Button said quietly, “Don’t be afraid, boys. I’ll see you out of this trouble, but just now there’s nothing else to be done. You can put the whole blame on me, for I’m the one that took the Gadabout. I’m steering her and I am taking her against your protests. You see you cannot help yourselves because we’re too far from the shore now for you to try to get back.” At that moment again there came a loud call from the shore, but it was evident from the tones of the voice that the Gadabout was rapidly leaving Cockburn Island behind her. “Bring back the boat! I’ll give you ten dollars to bring her back!” Silence still followed the noisy offer, however, and only a few minutes had elapsed before the Gadabout had passed beyond the sight of any one who might be standing on the shore. Apparently Mr. Button was not in any confusion as to the course he was to follow. Directly across the narrow waters he steered until in a brief time the shore of Drummond Island loomed before them. Then changing his course he guided the swift, little craft on a line parallel with the shore. The boat was moving southward and all four of the unwilling passengers expected that in a brief time they would pass the point of Drummond Island and then would turn westward and seek the harbor at Mackinac. The speed of the Gadabout was increasing now and in the dim light the waters near the stern seemed almost to glow with light. There was excitement for the boys in the midst of the mystery, but all had become silent and watchful of the man at the wheel. Swiftly the little Gadabout plowed its way across the smooth waters. The point of Drummond Island was passed and then to the amazement of the boys the course was not changed. The Gadabout now was headed for the open waters of Lake Huron. Mackinac Island lay far to their right. “You have made a mistake, Mr. Button,” called George anxiously. “This isn’t the way back to Mackinac Island.” “Don’t be alarmed, boys,” replied Mr. Button, without glancing behind him. “I’ll bring you out all right.” “But you are headed in the wrong direction,” protested Fred. “Don’t be afraid,” said Mr. Button once more. “I know what I am doing and so will you all pretty soon.” It was too dark to enable any of the boys to perceive the expression on the faces of his comrades. That they all were aghast at the unexpected turn of events, however, was manifest to all, but the little Gadabout, as if the anxiety of its passengers was of no concern, kept steadily on its way toward the open waters of Lake Huron. |
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