“As long as you like,” said Mr. Johnson heartily. “Just keep it and use it until you find your boat, and you can then tow it back. Now come into the house. I want to pack up some lunch for you, and give you some blankets to camp out with, since you are determined to start to-night.”
Having packed some provisions in the boat, taking along a pot to make coffee in, a supply of the commodity and a small oil stove, some kerosene, and a lantern, the searchers started off.
They camped out under a big tree at dusk and ate with good appetites in spite of their gloomy spirits and then, having built a fire on the bank, they prepared to spend the night.
“Forward again!” cried Jerry when after breakfast the simple camp outfit had been packed into the boat. At noon they came to a small village where they stopped for lunch, and to stretch their weary legs.
There they learned that the Dartaway had passed early the previous afternoon. It had made a short stop for gasolene. Of the dealer in the fuel the boys learned that two rough looking men were aboard the craft. Neither of them had said anything to give a clue to their identity.
It was about three o’clock, when, as the boys were rowing in a wide stretch of the river, Jerry, who was at the tiller ropes, cried:
“Hark! Cease rowing! I hear something!”
Bob and Ned rested on their oars. The sound of puffing was borne to them on the wind which was blowing up stream.
“It’s a motor boat!” exclaimed Jerry.
“Or an automobile,” said Bob.