“I don’t see anything but to do as we’re told,” answered Ned. “No chance of help now.”
They moved forward. At that moment Paxton placed his fingers to his lips and gave a shrill whistle.
A few minutes later the motor boat was alongside the sailing vessel. Bill Berry and another man scrambled aboard.
“Help me tie up these lads,” said Paxton. “Then we’ll take them aboard the motor craft. When that’s done start towing again.”
For an instant Bob and Ned had a wild thought of resisting the gang, or at least jumping overboard and swimming to escape. But a moment’s reflection showed how futile this would be.
Believing discretion the better part of valor at that time, they submitted quietly while the three men bound their arms. Then they were led to the side, helped over and were soon seated in the stern of the motor boat.
Paxton and Bill Berry remained on board the schooner, and were joined by Noddy, who said he did not want to stay in the smaller craft. Then, as the sun was peeping up over the distant hills, the towing was resumed, the schooner being pulled directly up the lake, and approaching the western shore in a long curve. Bob and Ned were in the hands of their enemies.