Jerry and the two detectives had gone ashore by this time. They observed several footprints, indicating that a number of men had been tramping around near where the schooner was moored to the bank. Probably they had been engaged in making the craft fast.
“I wonder if the boys were here also,” said Jerry.
“Looks very possible,” said the tramp. “Here are the mark of feet smaller than those of men. Did Bob or Ned have any peculiar nail marks in their shoes?”
“Not that I know of,” replied Jerry.
“Well, the chances are if they were not here on shore they were in some boat the rascals had,” the tramp went on.
“You think they must have had some other boat than the schooner?” asked the chief.
“I’m certain of it,” the ragged man replied. “How else could the schooner have gotten here? There wasn’t enough wind all night to move a canoe, let alone a heavy schooner. Yet we find this vessel several miles from where Jerry left her. The thieves must have had a power boat, gone back after their craft and towed her. Now I don’t see any use lingering here. They’ve got a good start of us, but maybe we can catch them.”
“Where shall we look?” the chief asked. “Up or down the lake; or follow the river?”
“Follow the river,” the tramp said. “I’ll round these fellows up now. We’ll land ’em at the cave if not before.”