“You’ll not get the chance!” fired back Ned, turning to look at the schooner which was disappearing around the bend. As he did so the boy gave a cry of alarm.
“What’s the matter?” asked Jerry.
“Look at the stern of that boat!” cried Ned.
Bob and Jerry looked. Under the overhanging ornamental work was the name:
BLUEBIRD
“Nothing remarkable about that,” said Bob. “It could just as well have been redbird, or yellowbird or blackbird.”
“I see what you mean,” put in Jerry excitedly. “It may have been the ‘blue’ thing that Bill Berry referred to when he quarreled with us.”
“I’m sure it is,” said Ned. “There’s something queer going on along this river, and we’ll find it out sooner or later.”
They ran along for several miles, and were approaching a small village called Westville, when, as they came around a bend that hid from sight a straight stretch of water which led past the town, they heard shouts of excitement.