"You’re right," he replied, "We are on the direct way to overtake them. Come!"
Both started on a run. They soon passed the falls, and came to a clear spot on the bank of the river.
"Look! Look!" he exclaimed, pointing out in mid-stream. "There they are in a boat; Corrigan is making for Blackbird Island!"
Mont was right. Far out on the fast-darkening waters of the stream was a small rowboat, with Corrigan at the oars, and poor Deb huddled up on the stern seat.
"He’s out of reach," he groaned. "Oh, what fools we were to let him dupe us at the mill."
"I suppose he was afraid to trust us to let him go," said the young man. "Can’t we do something?" he asked, disconsolately, as he stepped to the top of a rock to get a better view.
"Come down!" cried Jack, pulling him by the coat. "It’s no use letting him know that we have tracked him so far, or he’ll do his best to mislead us."
"That is so," returned the young man, and he hurried into shelter. "I suppose he intends to join Mosey and Pooler."
"It’s a good thing he didn’t know we had been to the island," said Jack. "Suppose we take Meg’s boat and follow?" he added, suddenly.
"We would never be able to cope with those three men. If we had arms it might be different. But we haven’t as much as a toy pistol."
"Never mind, I’m going," was Jack’s reply, and he made for the cove where the craft had been left.
"Then I’m with you," Mont returned, and he followed.
At the water’s edge both gave a cry of disappointment.
"Of course, Corrigan took it," said the young machinist. "He knew this was the place to look for Pooler’s boat."
"I guess you’re right. What’s to be done now?" he asked, slowly.
"I’ll look around. There must be other boats. Of course we haven’t any right to take them, but we can’t stand on ceremony in a case like this."
He ran down the beach and soon came to a tiny craft tied to a fallen tree.
"Just the thing," he exclaimed, untying the boat and jumping in. "Tell you what to do, Mont. I’ll row out and keep them in sight, while you run over to Farmer Farrell’s for assistance. Get him to come, and other help, too, if you can, and row directly for the landing. If you don’t find me there, fire a pistol shot, and I’ll come as soon as I can."