The Go Ahead Boys on Smugglers' Island Part 14

"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. b.u.t.ton, "but don't make much noise about it."

John stepped forth from behind the bushes and taking his stand on the sh.o.r.e 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. b.u.t.ton 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. b.u.t.ton, "but take me with you."

The boys delayed a moment while Mr. b.u.t.ton 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. b.u.t.ton.

"What for?" demanded Fred.

"I haven't time to explain to you," said Mr. b.u.t.ton, "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. b.u.t.ton. "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. b.u.t.ton. "I know all about it."

Meanwhile, although he continued his conversation with the boys, Mr.

b.u.t.ton 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 sh.o.r.es of c.o.c.kburn Island.

They had not gone far, however, before they heard a loud hail from the sh.o.r.e.

"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. b.u.t.ton caused all the boys to remain silent.

Again the hail came from the sh.o.r.e, 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. b.u.t.ton 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 sh.o.r.e now for you to try to get back."

At that moment again there came a loud call from the sh.o.r.e, but it was evident from the tones of the voice that the _Gadabout_ was rapidly leaving c.o.c.kburn 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 pa.s.sed beyond the sight of any one who might be standing on the sh.o.r.e.

Apparently Mr. b.u.t.ton 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 sh.o.r.e of Drummond Island loomed before them. Then changing his course he guided the swift, little craft on a line parallel with the sh.o.r.e. The boat was moving southward and all four of the unwilling pa.s.sengers expected that in a brief time they would pa.s.s 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 pa.s.sed 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. b.u.t.ton," called George anxiously. "This isn't the way back to Mackinac Island."

"Don't be alarmed, boys," replied Mr. b.u.t.ton, 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. b.u.t.ton 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 pa.s.sengers was of no concern, kept steadily on its way toward the open waters of Lake Huron.

CHAPTER XI ALONE ON THE LAKE

The four boys huddled together near the stern of the swiftly moving motor-boat. For a few minutes silence rested over the group. They were aghast at the turn of events and all were alike fearful of the consequences of their appropriation of the _Gadabout_, although no one acknowledged his fears.