The Go Ahead Boys on Smugglers' Island Part 25

"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. b.u.t.ton. "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 sh.o.r.es 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. b.u.t.ton 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. b.u.t.ton 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. b.u.t.ton 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. b.u.t.ton 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."

CHAPTER XVIII THE SEARCH FOR THE LOST BOYS

The impatience of the boys was manifest when the swift little boat set forth on its voyage. Already they had made thorough investigations about the island, but not a word concerning their missing friends had been heard.

The anxiety of both George and Grant was well-nigh overpowering, although both did their utmost to heed the comforting words of the captain of the little yacht.

"Don't you worry none," he said cheerily. "Them boys will take care of themselves. It was a ca'm night and the only way those fellows could git into trouble would be by trying to run into it."

"That's what Fred may have done," said George dryly. "If there's anything of that kind around he usually finds it."

"I guess you'll find the boys all right," affirmed the captain.

Striving to calm their fears the boys gazed out over the smooth waters.

For two days now the surface of Lake Huron had been almost unruffled.

Such gentle breezes as were blowing produced only the slightest ripple on the surface. In the clear waters, objects on the sh.o.r.e were reflected almost as in a mirror.

None of these things, however, was in the thoughts of the two boys as they watched the bluffs of Mackinac Island fade away in the distance.

They had done their utmost to describe to their captain the location in which they had left their friends the preceding night. That bluff individual had heartily declared that he understood just where the accident had occurred, but somehow his confidence was not fully shared by either of his pa.s.sengers.

"He tries to make up for what he doesn't know by stating with all his might the things he does know," said George in a low voice to Grant when the boys had taken their seats near the stern of the boat.

"That's what some people say," answered Grant. "'A lie well stuck to is as good as the truth.'"

"I don't believe that," said George.

"Don't believe what?"

"That a lie ever is as good as the truth."

"I didn't say that. I said a lie well stuck to was as good as the truth."

"I don't believe it is ever right to lie."

"Well, I do," said Grant positively.

"When?"

"Why, if you were dreadfully sick and it would be a shock to you to know that you were likely to die I think it would be all right to lie and tell you that you looked well."

"I would know that was a lie just as soon as you said it," laughed George, "but I wouldn't lie even then."

"What would you do?"

"I would do nothing."

"Well, suppose you had to say something."

"I would say what I thought was true."

"Wouldn't you lie if the doctor told you to?"