“Yes.”
“I suppose they couldn’t run the launch because of the dismantled motor,” said Pepper. “Most likely they hid her in the bushes on the shore of Hull Island.”
The matter was talked over, and the Penwicks said they would take some of the party over to Hull Island if they wished to go. It was arranged that Jack, Andy and Able Fales should make the trip.
“If the launch is there I’ll fix her up as soon as I can and run her back here,” said the old boatman.
The Spray was soon on the way. She was a light-built craft and cut the bosom of the lake like a thing of life.
“I like my sloop, but I declare I’d like a motor boat too,” said Jack. “They certainly can travel!”
“And they don’t have to wait for the wind,” added Pepper.
“It’s fine—if the motor doesn’t get out of order,” said Roger Penwick. “But sister and I have to do a lot of tinkering, I can tell you! Yesterday we spent about an hour sailing around and two hours fixing the engine.”
“Well, my spark wasn’t just right, that was all,” responded Belle. “You can’t make a boat run well without a good electric spark,” she explained.
The run to Hull Island, a small patch of land close to the upper end of Lake Caboy, did not take long, and then the island was slowly circled, while the boys and the old boatman scanned the shore with care.