  Meanwhile on the Gadabout George and Grant were having experiences that by no means added to their peace of mind. For a time they had waited with such patience as they could command for the return of their friends. But when the minutes became hours and there still was no sign of the coming of Fred and John both boys began to be anxious. The little Gadabout had been steadily drifting with the slowly moving current and in the dim light it was no longer possible to discern the outline of the shore which Fred and John had been seeking. The feeling of uneasiness steadily increased. “What do you suppose has happened to those boys?” inquired Grant of his friend. “I don’t believe anything has happened to them,” replied George. “I think that’s just the trouble. They haven’t found the shore, or any one to help.” “Well, then why don’t they come back?” “I can’t tell you. You know as much about that as I do.” “Well, I’m afraid they’re lost,” said Grant disconsolately. “I don’t believe anything very serious can happen to them even if they have lost their way,” said George, striving to speak with an assurance he did not fully share. “Even if they stay out there until morning,” he continued, “they wouldn’t have anything to be afraid of. And then they would be able to find somebody that would pick them up and take them back to Mackinac. Very likely we’ll find them there when we get back ourselves.” “But suppose a storm comes up,” suggested Grant. “Well, don’t begin to worry until the wind begins to blow,” said George testily. The fear of the same event was in his own mind, but he resented the suggestion of his companion. “I think it is about time for us to be getting worried about ourselves,” said George at last, when the first faint streaks of the dawn were seen in the eastern sky. “Fred and John at least can be moving while we are here as helpless as a rat in a trap.” “What do you make of him?” inquired Grant in a whisper, nodding toward Mr. Button as he spoke. He was still seated near the wheel and had given but slight attention to his companions. Evidently he was anxious concerning something, though what it was that disturbed him was still not clear to his two young companions. “What do you think, Mr. Button?” called George. “What’s become of the boys?” “Huh! What’s that you say?” inquired Mr. Button, sitting quickly erect. “What do you think has become of Jack and Fred?” “I don’t know,” replied Mr. Button vaguely. “Where did they go?” “Why, they left in the skiff,” explained Grant. “They have been gone three or four hours anyway.” “Why don’t they come back?” inquired Mr. Button. “That’s what we want to know. We’re afraid they are lost.” “Well, they won’t be lost very long,” said Mr. Button. “Somebody will pick them up and take them back to Mackinac Island. That isn’t more than forty miles away anyhow.” “Well, we’re afraid somebody may not find them,” said Grant. “We don’t see any boats anywhere around here.” As he spoke the boy stood erect and looked in all directions over the smooth waters of Lake Huron. As was the case with Fred and John the only indications of boats anywhere in the vicinity were the long low trails of smoke that could be seen far in the west. “How are we going to get back, Mr. Button?” inquired George. “I don’t know,” replied Mr. Button. “I think we’ll have to wait for somebody to pick us up.” “But there isn’t any boat anywhere around here,” protested Grant. “There may be before night,” said Mr. Button quietly. “And besides we cannot do anything to call any one.” “We might try yelling together,” suggested George. Mr. Button smiled, but made no response. “If we had some oars or a little sail we might do something,” suggested Grant. “I’m going to look around and see if there isn’t a sail on board anywhere.” His search was unrewarded, however, and at last when Grant returned it was agreed that their only hope was in being recognized by some passing vessel. The anxiety of the two boys for the safety of their missing comrades was not relieved when later in the afternoon a lake boat changing its course approached the place where they were lying. Evidently they had been discovered by the captain, who was still holding his glasses in his hand as the boat drew near. “I found a megaphone under the seat,” suggested Grant. “Where is it? Go get it,” suggested George. In a moment Grant was again on deck and handed the megaphone to Mr. Button. “Ahoy, there!” he called. “Will you give us a tow?” “Who are you?” came back the answer from the deck of the huge boat. “There are three of us and our motor-boat broke down last night.” “How long have you been here?” “Why, since midnight anyway. You are the first boat that has come anywhere near us.” “And it’s just by luck that we saw you. What will you do, come aboard?” “No,” answered Mr. Button, “if you’ll give us a line we would rather have you tow us. Are you going anywhere near Mackinac Island?” “Yes,” answered the captain. “We’re bound straight for there. I don’t know that we shall stop, but we’ll fix it so that you can get ashore if you want to.” “That will do splendidly,” called Mr. Button. In a brief time the two boats were near enough to enable a sailor to cast a rope to the Gadabout. After one or two attempts this was successfully seized and then made fast. As the lake boat swung around to resume its course, the Gadabout, one hundred feet or more astern, followed. “I hate to go back and leave the other fellows out here,” said George when they began to move swiftly over the waters. “You don’t need to worry about them,” said Mr. Button. “If we could see them anywhere that would be one thing, but they have disappeared from sight. They have a good skiff and I think I heard you say that they both were Go Ahead Boys. If they are, they will get out of their trouble all right.” “I’m sure I hope so,” said George dubiously. The conversation, however, ceased, and for a time all three were silent. The clear waters of Lake Huron bubbled and seethed as they were cut by the bow of the swift little motor-boat. The huge lake boat evidently was not carrying a load and its speed accordingly was unhampered. Doubtless the giant boat was returning to Duluth for another cargo of wheat or iron. The progress was uninterrupted so that by the middle of the afternoon the high, rocky shores of Mackinac Island became visible in the distance. At that moment the captain appeared at the stern of the lake boat and raising his megaphone to his mouth, called, “Do you want us to land you?” “No,” replied Mr. Button also speaking through a megaphone, “we’ll find somebody that will take us in. If you’re not going to land there you needn’t stop on our account. How much do we owe you?” “You don’t owe us anything,” called the captain. “We’re glad to lend a hand. Whenever you say the word you can cast off and we’ll haul in.” A half-hour later Mr. Button announced through his megaphone that the time had arrived when there was no longer need for them to be towed. They could plainly see the yachts in the harbor and the people moving along the streets. To enter the harbor would compel the huge boat to change its course, an act which no one desired. Accordingly after hailing the crew and expressing the thanks of himself and his companions for the aid they had received, Mr. Button gave the word and the little Gadabout was set free from the great steamer. Another motor-boat near by, the occupants of which were deeply interested spectators of what was occurring, at once took the Gadabout in tow and noisily proceeded toward the wharf which was not more than two hundred yards away. There were many questions asked of the rescued party, all of which were promptly answered, but as soon as the boys landed they at once began to make inquiries for a boat which could be chartered for a search for their missing friends. At last, however, they listened to the persuasions of Mr. Button and went up to the hotel where they obtained a dinner, which satisfied them after their long fast. Then, quickly returning to the dock they found their boat awaiting them and at once stepped on board. Already they had explained to the owner the peril of the friends and the reason why they had chartered the swiftest boat which could be obtained. “We’ll be there before long,” said the captain confidently. “Have you brought anything for your friends to eat?” “Yes, we have a basket full here,” explained George, pointing to a hamper which one of the waiters from the hotel had placed on board. “We thought they would be hungry so we got it ready.” “That’s all right, they will be,” said the captain. “You don’t suppose anything has happened to them, do you?” inquired George anxiously. “That’s something no man knows,” replied the captain not unkindly, “but we’ll soon find out.” |
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