Jerry’s voyage to the head of the lake and then up the river was without incident. It was rather a lonely trip, but he had no time to feel any alarm.
He arrived at Cresville early the next morning and left the boat at the private dock, while he hurried to acquaint the chief of police and Mr. Slade with the news about the schooner.
Jerry found the chief had not yet come down to headquarters, and, not caring to tell the sergeant in charge his errand, he went to Mr. Slade’s house.
“What’s this? Oh it’s you, Jerry, eh? No bad news I hope? None of you boys drowned at the lake? What’s the trouble? You look as if you’d had a tussle with a bull and came out second best,” said Ned’s father.
Jerry told his story and also related their plans.
“Good idea!” exclaimed Mr. Slade. “We’ll go and see the chief at once.”
Mr. Dalton had arrived by the time they got to headquarters and called Mr. Slade and Jerry into his private room. There Jerry told the story over again, to the no small astonishment of the police official.
He gave several orders over the telephone, including one to have the motor boat Terror made ready at once for a long trip.
Jerry found he would have about an hour to wait before the start back could be made, so he went to his home and also Bob’s and told the folks the camping party was all well. He said nothing of the discoveries, for fear of alarming his mother and Bob’s parents.
The chief and two detectives made up the police posse. They went to the dock where the Terror was tied up and got aboard. Mr. Slade had counted on going, but, at the last moment, found some business affairs needed his attention.