"Just the thing," he exclaimed, untying the boat and jumping in. "Tell you what to do, Mont. I'll row out and keep them in sight, while you run over to Farmer Farrell's for assistance. Get him to come, and other help, too, if you can, and row directly for the landing. If you don't find me there, fire a pistol shot, and I'll come as soon as I can."
This hurried arrangement was agreed upon, and Mont made for the lane that led to the farmer's homestead.
Jack shipped the oars, and tired as he was, pulled manfully out into the stream. The other boat was no longer in view, but he had carefully noted the direction it had taken, and now headed exactly the same way.
He pulled for five minutes or more, and then looked ahead.
He was chagrined to find that the other craft was still out of sight.
Resuming his seat, he redoubled his efforts, sending the spray flying in all directions.
Presently the island loomed up before him, and straining his eyes, he sought for some signs of his sister and her abductor.
But though he looked in all directions, and even rowed a considerable distance up and down the irregular shore, not a thing was revealed.
"Well, I'm stumped!" was his rather slangy but forcible exclamation. "I'm positive they're not far off, and how I can be slipped in this fashion gets me! Wonder if he has gone up to the cottage?"
Jack ran the boat up the beach and landed. It was now very dark, and he had no little difficulty in finding the right direction.