The Rover Boys Down East Part 52

Sobber.

"Wonder what has become of Koswell, Larkspur and that Darkingham," said Sam.

"I don't know, and I don't care, just now!" returned d.i.c.k. "Captain, we must follow that boat without delay. If they get out of our sight we may never get another chance to rescue Mrs. Stanhope!"

"I'll get after 'em as soon as I can," returned the master of the steam tug.

But to start a pursuit was not so easy, from the fact that the tug lay on the other side of the island and could not be signalled.

"Tom and I can go after the tug," said Sam. "The rest of you can try to keep that motor boat in sight;" and so it was arranged.

The two Rover boys skirted the south end of Chesoque Island. They kept on a run, and on turning a corner of rocks, plumped fairly and squarely into Koswell, Larkspur and Darkingham, who were talking earnestly among themselves.

"They said they would send the boat back sure," Koswell was saying, when Tom almost ran him down.

"h.e.l.lo! you here!" cried Tom, and then, as Koswell grabbed him by the arm he added: "Let me go!"

"Not so fast!" roared Koswell. "Bart, catch the other fellow!"

"I will!" muttered Bart Larkspur, and caught Sam by the arm.

What followed, came with such swiftness that both Koswell and Larkspur were taken completely off their guard. Tom drew back and hit Koswell a blow in the nose that sent him staggering back against the rocks and made the blood spurt freely. Sam, seeing this, also struck out, reaching Larkspur's left eye, and putting that optic in deep mourning. Larkspur fell back on Darkingham, and for the moment there was great confusion.

"Skip! We don't want to be delayed!" cried Tom, to his brother, and on they went again, before their enemies had time to recover.

Inside of five minutes they came in sight of the steam tug. Those aboard were on the watch for the return of Captain Wells, and the engineer had a full head of steam up, to use in case of emergency.

"Quick!" cried Tom, as he and Sam rushed on board. "Captain Wells and my brother want you on the other side of the island at once!"

"We'll get there as quick as the propeller can take us," said the mate, and the engineer nodded to show that he understood. The tug backed away from the island, and in a moment more was on the way to the old dock.

"Say we gave Koswell and Larkspur something to remember us by," remarked Sam, grimly.

"So we did," answered Tom, with a grin. "Wish it had been ten times as much!"

"They and that Darkingham must have loaned the motor boat to the Sobber crowd."

"Most likely Sobber paid 'em well for its use. He could do it easily-out of that fortune."

As the steam tug rounded the end of the island, Tom and Sam were just able to see the motor boat in the distance. It seemed to be heading for the mainland.

"All aboard!" sang out Tom, as they ran up to the old dock. But this invitation was unnecessary, for d.i.c.k, Captain Wells and Larry Dixon leaped on the deck as soon as the craft was close enough.

"Now then, after her!" sang out the eldest Rover boy. "Crowd on all steam! I'll pay all expenses, and more!"

"Even if she blows up?" queried the captain, with a bit of dry humor.

"Yes, even if she blows up, Captain! Oh, we must catch them!" added d.i.c.k, pleadingly.

"We'll do our level best, Mr. Rover. n.o.body could do more."

Soon the throbbing of the engine showed that the tug was running under a full pressure of steam. The spray dashed all over the craft and those on board, but to this n.o.body paid attention. Every eye was riveted on the craft ahead.

Those on the motor boat were equally eager, and watched the pursuit with chagrin.

"Do you-er-think they will catch us?" asked Josiah Crabtree, nervously, not once but several times.

"I don't know-I hope not," answered Pally.

"Can't we run faster?"

"I am crowding her to the limit now."

"Do you know about motor boats? Perhaps Mr. Sobber knows more."

"I don't," answered Tad Sobber. "Wish I did."

"I know about 'em-I ran one for two summers," answered Jim Pally. "I'll leave 'em behind if it's in the boat to do it."

"Oh, please let me go!" cried Mrs. Stanhope, almost tearfully. "Mr.

Crabtree, I do not want to go with you another step! Please let me go!"

"Keep quiet, Mrs. Stanhope, don't excite yourself," he answered, trying to soothe her. But he was so nervous his voice trembled as he spoke. He had not dreamed that the pursuit would become so swift and sure.

Closer and closer drew the steam tug, until those on board could plainly see all that was taking place on the motor boat.

"I command you to stop!" yelled Captain Wells. "Stop, or we'll run you down."

"No, no, don't you do that!" screamed Josiah Crabtree, in fright.

"Save me! Oh, save me!" screamed Mrs. Stanhope, and then, of a sudden, she sprang to her feet, leaped to the stern deck of the motor boat, and cast herself headlong into the waters of the bay.

The movement was so unexpected by the others on the Magnet that not a hand was raised to detain her. She went down, directly in the path of the oncoming tug.

"Stop! Back her!" screamed d.i.c.k, in horror, and Tom and Sam also yelled out a warning. There was a quick jangling of a bell, and the engine was stopped. Then the power was reversed, and the steam tug was steered to one side.

"There she is!" cried Tom, pointing with his hand, and the next instant came a splash, as d.i.c.k made a dive overboard. He, too, had seen Mrs.

Stanhope floating near, and soon he had her in his arms and was supporting her.

The engine of the tug was now stopped, and a rope was thrown to the eldest Rover boy, and he and Mrs. Stanhope were hauled on board. As the lady was brought on deck, she fainted away, but in a few minutes she recovered.

"Thank heaven, she is safe!" murmured d.i.c.k.

"I'm thankful we didn't run her down!" added Captain Wells. "It was a close shave! We had to reverse like lightning."

"It was well done, sir," answered Sam.

"Couldn't have been better," came from Tom.