Comrades on River and Lake Part 32

Turning out the light in the chamber, and lighting a lantern for use on the sh.o.r.e, the boys went out, closing the door. With Hoki and Bert guarding the smuggler, Chot went back to where he had left Fleet's canoe, entered it, and paddled around to the other side of the island, just as he heard Pod calling out to know where to land.

Chot gave him directions to head for the light, and a few minutes later the smuggler, bound hand and foot, was bundled into Pod's canoe, and the little fellow was paddling back toward the lodge, while Bert, Chot and Hoki followed in Fleet's larger craft.

There was a scene of rejoicing at the lodge that night. The prisoners were all securely bound, and the boys took turns in guarding them through the night.

Bert told his story before the boys retired. He had been aroused from his sleep in the hammock by strange noises in the lodge, and had cried out almost before he realized it. Then, believing that some of the mysteries that had puzzled them were about to be solved, he had run inside, motioning Chot and Tom to follow. The smugglers had evidently thought the boys all out of the lodge, for Bert surprised them, as well as himself, by dashing in among them. Then he had been taken captive and carried out through the tunnel, the trap-door dosed behind leaving no trace.

"Had you fellows looked out of the rear window you could have seen them carrying me across to the north island in their boats," said Bert.

"We were too busy speculating as to what had become of you," smiled Chot "I'm glad we have you safely back."

As Hoki was getting breakfast the following morning, the boys were startled to hear several blasts from a boat's siren, and looking out from the verandah of the lodge they saw a motor-boat about two-thirds of a mile distant, and headed straight for the island.

"It's Mr. Lawrence!" cried Chot. "Act as if nothing has happened, fellows, and we'll nab him, too!"

CHAPTER XXII-THE REVENUE OFFICERS

The motor-boat was a trim little craft, some forty feet in length, with a cabin forward, and an open deck aft, the latter covered with an awning and containing several chairs.

As she drew nearer Chot uttered an exclamation of astonishment, for plainly visible at the bow was a small bra.s.s swivel gun, evidently of the rapid fire variety.

"Mr. Lawrence is evidently prepared for war," said Fleet. "I didn't know they used such weapons on private yachts."

"That's no private yacht," said Chot, who was studying the boat intently; "see that American flag at the stern and the man in a blue uniform at the wheel. That, fellows, is a government boat, probably in the revenue service. She is of a fine size to wind in and out among these islands."

"But what can she be wanting at Winnsocket Lodge?" asked Pod, perplexed.

"That I can't say, but, very likely, the officers are on the trail of the smugglers. They may have taken Mr. Lawrence captive, and are now on the lookout for the rest of the band."

"We'd better go meet them," said Tom. "That will show our good will."

"Yes; Pod, you go down and tell Bert to watch the prisoners while we are gone, and don't say anything before the smugglers about the officers being here."

Pod hurried away to do Chot's bidding, and Chot, Tom, Fleet and Truem went down to the little wharf toward which the motor-boat was heading.

The noise of her engines soon ceased, and describing a pretty circle, she came drifting up to the landing. Two men-one in the bow, the other in the stern-threw painters to the boys, who made them fast to posts on the wharf.

"Is this Winnsocket Lodge?" asked an officer, as he sprang ash.o.r.e and eyed the boys keenly.

"Yes, sir," Chot responded.

"Do you live here?"

"No; we are a party of cadets from Winton Hall on the Hudson. We came up here in canoes, then remained as the guests of a Mr. Lawrence, who left the day after we arrived."

"Do you know where he is?"

"No, sir; he went away in the night in a motor-boat."

"I am Lieutenant Weston Winters of the United States revenue service,"

the officer went on, extending his hand. "We have been trying to trace to their hiding place a band of smugglers. We have every reason to believe that this Mr. Lawrence is the leader of the band. Have there been any unusual happenings since your arrival?"

"There has been nothing else," Chot replied, smiling. "As for the smugglers, we have captured the entire band with the exception of Mr.

Lawrence, and we were getting ready to take him, too, believing at first that this was his boat."

Of course, Lieutenant Winters wanted the details, and Chot related their adventures from the moment they met Mr. Lawrence until the release of Bert Creighton from the smugglers' lair the previous night.

"And you have these men safe in the cellar?" asked Lieutenant Winters, a merry twinkle in his eyes.

"Yes, sir."

"Then I don't see much use of Uncle Sam keeping his officers in the St.

Lawrence. You have done your country a n.o.ble service, boys, and one which will not be forgotten."

"We have simply tried to do our duty as citizens," returned Chot, earnestly.

"And you have more than succeeded. Now, let me see the captives."

The boys led the way to the lodge, Lieutenant Winters following with two of his men.

Down into the bas.e.m.e.nt they went where Bert sat with a revolver, guarding the prisoners.

"H'm! A bunch of beauties," was Lieutenant Winter's comment. "There is 'Dandy d.i.c.k' Short, whom we have been wanting for some time, who was formerly a notorious smuggler on the gulf coast; and Larry Nexton, and Bill Gerry, and Flitty Gray, and, who's this-oh, yes, and Joe Silverton.

Why, these are all old friends, boys-and old hands at the smuggling business. They have been trying to elude our clutches for a long time."

"And it looks like we succeeded pretty well," said Dandy d.i.c.k Short, the leader of the band. A sneer curled his lip. "It was left to a bunch of kids to catch us when we were not looking."

"Then all credit to the 'kids,' as you call them," said Lieutenant Winters, warmly. "The result has been accomplished, and I think I am safe in saying that you won't do any more smuggling for some years to come. How long have you been working for Lawrence?"

The men looked at each other, but said nothing.

"Don't want to squeal on him, eh? Oh, that's all right. I'm glad to see that there is still some honor among thieves. We'll get him, all right.

He knows nothing of what's happened here, and when he returns he'll find a little surprise waiting for him."

Still the men said nothing.

"That's all right, boys, just hold your tongues." The lieutenant turned to Chot. "I'll leave my two men to take charge of these fellows. We're going to stay at the lodge until Lawrence returns."

"That suits us," said Chot. "We'll all wait, and if we boys can render any further a.s.sistance, just command us."

The two men from the revenue boat were placed as guards over the prisoners, thus relieving the boys of all responsibility in this regard.

Lieutenant Winters took up his abode at the lodge, sending the motor-boat around to the east end of the island, where, in a little cove, she was concealed from view from the north island, as well as the approaches from the west and south, by one of which routes Mr. Lawrence would be sure to come on his return to the island.

"Lawrence will no doubt come as he went, in the night," said Lieutenant Winters, "so we had best arrange a watch."