“Are you all right?” asked Jerry, when he saw Bob and Ned could stand up.
“Well I guess so!” exclaimed Bob, speaking for the first time in several hours. “Have you got anything to eat, Jerry?”
“Say, if you were to be blown up in a powder mill, I believe the first thing you’d ask for when you came down would be a sandwich,” exclaimed Ned. “But go ahead, Jerry, get him something to eat, and then tell us how it all happened.”
“Come over on our boat,” advised Jerry. “We’ve got lots to eat there.”
While Ned and Bob were partaking of food Jerry quickly told of what had happened. In turn the boys related their experience, and how, at the last moment the engine of the thieves’ boat gave out, which lucky chance led to their being overtaken by the pursuers.
“I hope they catch the thieves,” said Ned. “They’re a bad gang.”
“Well, I don’t care what happens as long as you and Bob are all right,” Jerry replied.
The boys exchanged all the details since the parting at the place where the schooner was moored, and were going over some events for the second time when they heard a sound as of some persons approaching. A few seconds later there appeared at the edge of the river Chief Dalton, Detective Layton, and the two Cresville officers. Each one held a captive by the arm, and the wrists of the captured ones were enclosed in irons.
“Did you land ’em?” asked Jerry.
“We sure did!” cried the tramp-detective.