"That's so!" returned Gasper Pold. "They must be following us!"
"How did they do it so quickly?" questioned Solly Jackson.
"That's a puzzle, but it certainly is the houseboat, and there are three or four of the crowd on board," said Sack Todd.
Those on the launch were amazed to think they had been followed so quickly and for the moment knew not what to do. Then Sack Todd drew his pistol.
"Hi, there!" he yelled. "Keep your distance, if you know when you are well off!"
"They know us right enough," murmured Tom. "And they mean to fight!"
"Go ahead,—we can't afford to land around here!" said Gasper Pold, to Baxter, who had been running the motor of the launch. And soon the power was turned on and the launch started down the river faster than ever.
"They are running away from us!" ejaculated Dick. "Oh, what luck!"
"Stop!" yelled Sam. "Stop, or we'll fire at you!"
"That's the talk," said Harold Bird.