“THERE SHE IS!” CRIED TOM! AND THE NEXT INSTANT CAME A SPLASH, AS DICK MADE A DIVE OVERBOARD.
The engine of the tug was now stopped, and a rope was thrown to the eldest Rover boy, and he and Mrs. Stanhope were hauled on board. As the lady was brought on deck, she fainted away, but in a few minutes she recovered.
“Thank heaven, she is safe!” murmured Dick.
“I’m thankful we didn’t run her down!” added Captain Wells. “It was a close shave! We had to reverse like lightning.”
“It was well done, sir,” answered Sam.
“Couldn’t have been better,” came from Tom.
“But, say, aren’t we going after those rascals? Remember, even though we have rescued Mrs. Stanhope, they still have the fortune!”
“Sure, we are going after ’em!” cried Dick. “Go ahead!”
The order to proceed was given, but, much to the captain’s chagrin, the tug refused to get up any speed. Then came a report from the engineer that the sudden reversing of the engine had broken some of the machinery. They could run, but it would have to be slowly.
“Then they’ll get away after all!” groaned Sam. “And with that fortune, too!”