"Then they know we're here and they've opened the gates!" cried Frank. "Boys, I believe we're going to be rescued!"
"And I know it!" yelled Andy, suddenly leaping to his feet. "We are rescued, fellows! There's the boat now!"
His cry of joy was answered by a shout, and from out the mist on the lake, straight for Golden Peak, came a large barge or flat-bottom ferryboat, propelled by long sweeps in the hands of the lusty cowboys. In the middle of the craft stood Mr. Thornton.
"Boys! Boys!" he cried in eager tones, "are you safe? Oh, what a narrow escape! Are you all right?"
"Yes, Uncle!" cried Billy. "We were just going to launch our ship when you hove in sight. Did you see our smoke signal?"
"We did, and that's why I had the gate opened. The waters are going down now. Oh, that scoundrel! To bring word that you had left the Peak! That's why I closed the openings in the dam. Oh! if I catch the rascals I'll fix them for this!"
"Did they say we had gone?" asked Frank.
"That's what they did—some days ago, or I never would have allowed the water to rise. But, thank Providence, you are safe. Get aboard now, and bring the horses, too. And so you were going to sail on the raft."
"That's what we were," said Billy. "The Racer boys thought of that scheme."
"Well, get aboard the barge," advised his uncle, as he gazed admiringly at the brave lads. "What have you in those bags?" and he pointed to the gold.