Slowly the better-managed Eel crept up, until, when they came to a narrow stretch of the river, Andy Rush cried:
“They’re going to run her ashore!”
“That’s right!” added Bob, as in the gleam of the search light they saw their craft headed for the bank.
“They’re giving up!” was Jerry’s opinion, and so it proved. A little later the “chug-chug!” of the Dartaway’s engine ceased. She swung up alongside a little point of land that jutted out into the stream, two figures leaped out, splashed into the water and then, running along shore, vanished in the woods.
“There they go!” cried Jim Nestor.
“After ’em!” yelled his partner.
“Let ’em go,” advised Jerry. “We’ve got our boat back. I want to see if they’ve damaged her.”
But aside from tools and other things being scattered carelessly about the craft, no great harm had been done, which fact was soon ascertained as the Eel came alongside. The Dartaway had been rammed into a mud bank, however, and the Eel had to pull her off. Then, with Ned and Bob to run her, she was headed down stream and, convoyed by the Eel she soon came in sight of the club house where the lads had first stopped.
“Let’s get out here,” suggested Bob, as they neared the lighted dock.
“What for—to eat?” asked Ned.