“As soon as we get ashore I’ll have the engineer put you out where you can get your boat,” the chief said. “I’ve got to take after those fellows!”
“We’ll be with you as soon as we secure the Dartaway!” cried Jerry.
“That’s what!” chimed in Ned and Bob.
With drawn revolvers the chief and his men leaped toward shore, not waiting until their boat was at the bank, but splashing through the water as the thieves had done. As soon as they were off the engineer of the Terror put his craft after the boys’ boat.
In a little while the boys were aboard. They soon satisfied themselves that no great damage had been done, nor had anything of value been taken. The thieves had evidently made themselves at home, since the lockers were pretty well emptied of food.
The Terror had put back to where the chief and his men disembarked. Jerry set the engine of the Dartaway going and soon found it was in good order. Then, with Ned at the wheel, the craft was turned around and headed back toward where the thieves had jumped off. The boys landed at about the same spot, and moored their craft to a big tree.
“Look there!” exclaimed Jerry pointing to a soft place in the mud on the river’s bank.
Ned and Bob glanced to where he indicated. There in the soil were the marks of several large foot-prints, and, conspicuous among them were several in the sole of which was the mark of an arrow, made in hob nails.
“The same man who took our boat stuck by her until the end,” said Jerry. “Come on; let’s go after the chief.”