“Yes, Miss,” said one of the men. “He, and three others, just left in a launch. Is anything the matter?”
“Yes,” said one of the officers. “They are a bunch of crooks, and have kidnapped a boy.”
“You don’t say,” exclaimed one of the fishermen. “Do you want to catch ’em?”
“Yes,” said Shirley eagerly, “but how can we?”
“Well, I have a launch about a hundred yards from here,” said the man. “She is all ready to move, and can outrun anything on the creek.”
As he spoke, he came ashore and started along the bank at a run. Shirley, Mabel, Leonard and the two officers followed close at his heels.
Another moment, and they came upon a large, powerful launch moored to a landing.
“Climb in,” said the man.
The others needed no second invitation. Shirley, with the two officers, took their places in the bow of the little craft, while Mabel and Leonard were forced to remain further aft.
The fisherman pushed the launch off, and scrambled aboard. Then he turned quickly to the engine, and a faint sputtering a few moments later gave evidence that the launch was ready for the chase.